🔗 Share this article EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official Says The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been central to campaigns to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Other Developments in the News In other judicial news: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment 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 will consent to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
The EU could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting digital hatred and misinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been central to campaigns to introduce legislation governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to pressure US companies to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. A Deepening Dispute Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities argue the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming a facet of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Other Developments in the News In other judicial news: A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce security grants to states that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment 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 will consent to accept a limited number of individuals from the US in exchange for increased assistance, after concluding a formal agreement with US authorities. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Experts have also noted that recent statements regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.