🔗 Share this article European Union Could Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Official States The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans were placed on figures that were at the heart of efforts to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” stated a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move. The restrictions were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In related legal news: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the new year, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans were placed on figures that were at the heart of efforts to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” stated a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move. The restrictions were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is seen by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In related legal news: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the new year, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.