🔗 Share this article European Union Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says The EU could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans working on combating digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted individuals that were central to efforts to introduce legislation governing American tech companies. “For far too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move. The restrictions were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the regulations are essential to combat inflammatory language and disinformation. This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe. Other Developments in the News In related legal developments: A federal judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the action was “another example” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an active border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
The EU could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans working on combating digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted individuals that were central to efforts to introduce legislation governing American tech companies. “For far too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move. The restrictions were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the regulations are essential to combat inflammatory language and disinformation. This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe. Other Developments in the News In related legal developments: A federal judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the action was “another example” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the holiday period, alongside an active border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.