🔗 Share this article European Union Could Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on individuals that were at the heart of efforts to enact laws regulating American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In related judicial developments: A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, following signing a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans were placed on individuals that were at the heart of efforts to enact laws regulating American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In related judicial developments: A US district judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to states which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, following signing a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.