🔗 Share this article EU Could Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States against five European individuals involved in combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures that were at the heart of efforts to introduce laws governing American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the decision. The bans were imposed this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods. This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash involving Washington and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal news: A US district judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the United States against five European individuals involved in combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures that were at the heart of efforts to introduce laws governing American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the decision. The bans were imposed this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods. This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash involving Washington and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In other legal news: A US district judge has halted attempts to cut security grants to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The judge ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.