🔗 Share this article EU Might Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Official Says The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals working on fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on figures who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In related judicial developments: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, alongside an active border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in dozens of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital. Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.
The EU could “act quickly and firmly” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the United States against five European individuals working on fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official has said. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on figures who have been at the heart of efforts to introduce legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For too long, European activists have led organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the move. The bans were enacted on Tuesday against an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, along with several anti-disinformation campaigners, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to control hate speech and disinformation. This row threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and European institutions. Other Developments in the News In related judicial developments: A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce federal homeland security funding to states that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the action was “a further instance” of linking federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, alongside an active border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in dozens of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent performing arts center in the capital. Analysts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources align with a wider ideology in certain circles of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with historical international strategies.