🔗 Share this article European Union Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson States The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the United States against five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “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 supported France in condemning the decision. The bans were imposed this week against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities argue the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments in the News In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the new year, alongside an active border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the United States against five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “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 supported France in condemning the decision. The bans were imposed this week against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities argue the rules are necessary to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This disagreement risks becoming part of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and Europe. Other Developments in the News In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the new year, alongside an active border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.