🔗 Share this article European Union Might Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The EU could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals working on fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions targeted figures who have been at the heart of campaigns to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure US companies to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in condemning the move. The bans were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and falsehoods. This row risks becoming part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict between Washington and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In related legal news: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in dozens of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
The EU could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals working on fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions targeted figures who have been at the heart of campaigns to introduce legislation regulating American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure US companies to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in condemning the move. The bans were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the regulations are necessary to control inflammatory language and falsehoods. This row risks becoming part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict between Washington and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In related legal news: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in dozens of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.