🔗 Share this article EU Might Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on figures who have been at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the move. The bans were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement risks becoming part of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In related legal developments: A US district judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
The European Union could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the United States on five Europeans involved in combating online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on figures who have been at the heart of efforts to enact legislation governing American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the move. The bans were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities argue the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement risks becoming part of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Other Developments Reported Today In related legal developments: A US district judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in return for increased assistance, after signing a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts point out that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.