🔗 Share this article European Union Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on figures that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported the French president in criticizing the decision. The bans were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the regulations are essential to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe. Other Developments in the News In related judicial news: A US district judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on figures that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported the French president in criticizing the decision. The bans were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the regulations are essential to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This disagreement risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe. Other Developments in the News In related judicial news: A US district judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.