🔗 Share this article EU Might Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US against five European individuals involved in combating digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including the French president charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the decision. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, while European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and falsehoods. This row risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US against five European individuals involved in combating digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including the French president charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the decision. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, while European leaders argue the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and falsehoods. This row risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.