🔗 Share this article EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Official Says The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US against five European individuals involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions targeted figures who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the decision. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In related judicial developments: A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. 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. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US against five European individuals involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions targeted figures who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the decision. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In related judicial developments: A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the case was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. 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. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.