🔗 Share this article European Union Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson States The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans working on combating digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted individuals that were central to efforts to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move. The restrictions were imposed this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and falsehoods. This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash between Washington and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In related judicial developments: A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy strategies.
The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans working on combating digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, following the travel bans targeted individuals that were central to efforts to introduce laws regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to suppress US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move. The restrictions were imposed this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas European leaders argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and falsehoods. This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider existing political and ideological clash between Washington and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In related judicial developments: A US district judge has halted attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “another example” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city ahead of the new year, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC. Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy strategies.