🔗 Share this article European Union Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States on five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation governing American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives joined the French president in condemning the decision. The bans were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict between Washington and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the case was “another example” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States on five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation governing American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives joined the French president in condemning the decision. The bans were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become a facet of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict between Washington and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the case was “another example” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.