🔗 Share this article EU Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals involved in combating online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders including the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted individuals that were central to efforts to enact legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives joined France in criticizing the move. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and falsehoods. This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other judicial developments: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the case was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals involved in combating online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders including the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted individuals that were central to efforts to enact legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives joined France in criticizing the move. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and falsehoods. This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other judicial developments: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the case was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.