🔗 Share this article European Union Might Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Official Says The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US against five Europeans working on combating online hate and misinformation, an EU official stated. EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans targeted individuals that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in condemning the move. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other judicial developments: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US against five Europeans working on combating online hate and misinformation, an EU official stated. EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans targeted individuals that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in condemning the move. The restrictions were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other judicial developments: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.