🔗 Share this article EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US on five European individuals working on combating digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals who have been central to campaigns to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” stated a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In other legal developments: A US district judge has blocked efforts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. 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 Washington DC. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US on five European individuals working on combating digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals who have been central to campaigns to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” stated a senior US official in a social media post. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities contend the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In other legal developments: A US district judge has blocked efforts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. 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 Washington DC. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.