🔗 Share this article EU Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official States The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals involved in fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official stated. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ European leaders such as the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In related legal news: A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an active border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, following concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals involved in fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official stated. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ European leaders such as the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In related legal news: A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an active border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, following concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.