🔗 Share this article EU Might Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Official States The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the United States against five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted figures who have been central to campaigns to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the move. The bans were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with 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 European leaders contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal developments: A US district judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation. 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 congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the United States against five Europeans involved in combating digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Condemn US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted figures who have been central to campaigns to enact legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to coerce US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “The current administration will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in criticizing the move. The bans were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with 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 European leaders contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal developments: A US district judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the case was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation. 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 congressional representative has initiated legal action seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.