🔗 Share this article EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US against five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on individuals that were central to campaigns to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in condemning the move. The bans were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods. This row risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In related judicial developments: A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital. Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US against five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on individuals that were central to campaigns to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported France in condemning the move. The bans were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods. This row risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In related judicial developments: A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital. Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.