🔗 Share this article EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official Says The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US against five Europeans involved in combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated. European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals who have been at the heart of efforts to enact laws governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the decision. The bans were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In other judicial news: A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US against five Europeans involved in combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated. European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals who have been at the heart of efforts to enact laws governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will not stand for such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the decision. The bans were enacted on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In other judicial news: A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the new year, alongside an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.