🔗 Share this article EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official States The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US against five European individuals involved in combating online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted figures that were at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move. The restrictions were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In other judicial news: A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” visa bans imposed by the US against five European individuals involved in combating online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Condemn US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions targeted figures that were at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have led coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move. The restrictions were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In other judicial news: A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for additional aid, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.