🔗 Share this article EU Might Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Travel Restrictions, Official States The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US against five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated. EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact laws governing American tech companies. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress US perspectives 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 supported the French president in criticizing the move. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods. This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In other judicial developments: A federal judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the action was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
The European Union might “respond swiftly and decisively” in response to what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US against five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, an EU official stated. EU Officials Decry US Move as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as Emmanuel Macron accused the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans were placed on figures that were at the heart of campaigns to enact laws governing American tech companies. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to suppress US perspectives 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 supported the French president in criticizing the move. The restrictions were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance This European legislation is seen by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the rules are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods. This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates in the News In other judicial developments: A federal judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The judge stated the action was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the new year, coinciding with an ongoing border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to accept a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following concluding a formal agreement with Washington. Furthermore, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.