🔗 Share this article EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official stated. EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals who have been central to campaigns to introduce laws regulating American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move. The bans were enacted this week against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods. This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In related legal developments: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official stated. EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals who have been central to campaigns to introduce laws regulating American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move. The bans were enacted this week against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods. This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In related legal developments: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.