🔗 Share this article EU Might Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official Says The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions targeted individuals who have been at the heart of campaigns to introduce legislation governing American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move. The bans were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to combat hate speech and falsehoods. This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In related judicial news: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Analysts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. European Leaders Condemn US Move as ‘Coercion’ European leaders including Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions targeted individuals who have been at the heart of campaigns to introduce legislation governing American tech companies. “For too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “This government will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move. The bans were imposed on Tuesday on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with four anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to combat hate speech and falsehoods. This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider existing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions. Additional Updates Reported Today In related judicial news: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Analysts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.