🔗 Share this article EU Might Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US against five Europeans involved in combating online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including the French president accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted figures who have been at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws governing US-based technology firms. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” stated a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in condemning the move. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In related legal developments: A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans issued by the US against five Europeans involved in combating online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including the French president accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted figures who have been at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws governing US-based technology firms. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” stated a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in condemning the move. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In related legal developments: A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in the capital. Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.