🔗 Share this article European Union Might Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans working on fighting online hate and misinformation, an EU official stated. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the decision. The bans were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become part of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In other legal developments: A US district judge has halted efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to accept dozens of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.
The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans working on fighting online hate and misinformation, an EU official stated. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including Emmanuel Macron charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions were placed on individuals that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated a senior US official online. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the decision. The bans were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with four activists fighting false information, including two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation This European legislation is seen by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become part of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In other legal developments: A US district judge has halted efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “another example” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to accept dozens of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy actions.