🔗 Share this article European Union Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official Says The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the US on five European individuals involved in combating digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were central to efforts to introduce laws regulating American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the move. The bans were imposed this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and falsehoods. This row threatens to become part of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the US on five European individuals involved in combating digital hatred and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Decry US Move as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as the French president accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were central to efforts to introduce laws regulating American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the move. The bans were imposed this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, while European leaders argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and falsehoods. This row threatens to become part of a much broader existing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit to demand the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC. Experts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.