🔗 Share this article European Union Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted individuals that were central to campaigns to enact legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in condemning the move. The bans were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods. This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash involving Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates in the News In other judicial developments: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy strategies.
The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted individuals that were central to campaigns to enact legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in condemning the move. The bans were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while European leaders contend the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods. This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash involving Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates in the News In other judicial developments: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Analysts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy strategies.