🔗 Share this article European Union Could Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official States The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted figures that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing American tech companies. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the move. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash involving Washington and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In related legal news: A US district judge has halted attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted figures that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing American tech companies. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the move. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash involving Washington and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In related legal news: A US district judge has halted attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.