🔗 Share this article European Union Might Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US against five European individuals involved in combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as the French president charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on individuals that were central to campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the move. The bans were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This row threatens to become a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe. Other Developments in the News In related judicial developments: A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an active border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing 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 performing arts center in the capital. Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US against five European individuals involved in combating online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as the French president charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on individuals that were central to campaigns to enact legislation regulating American tech companies. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the move. The bans were imposed this week on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders contend the regulations are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This row threatens to become a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe. Other Developments in the News In related judicial developments: A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an active border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing 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 performing arts center in the capital. Experts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.