🔗 Share this article European Union Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Official Says The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States on five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted individuals that were central to efforts to enact laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration 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 supported France in criticizing the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In related judicial developments: A US district judge has blocked efforts 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 linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the new year, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after signing a formal agreement with US authorities. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States on five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted individuals that were central to efforts to enact laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration 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 supported France in criticizing the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In related judicial developments: A US district judge has blocked efforts 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 linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the new year, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, after signing a formal agreement with US authorities. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.