> It would kill entire cities in many places of the world. For example, Wolfsburg, the VW headquarter city has a population of ~100 000, the factory alone emplo

> It would kill entire cities in many places of the world. For example, Wolfsburg, the VW headquarter city has a population of ~100 000, the factory alone employs 57,000 people, ignoring administration and managment for VW in Wolfsburg. Shutting down a company doesn't mean you destroy all of its assets. Factories or entire divisions could continue to run under new ownership. Just treat it as a Chapter 7 bankruptcy where the company owes the government more than the total of its assets. > The shareholders would still be richer and don't have to fear punishment Shareholders would lose out to the maximum extent allowed without piercing the corporate veil since their ownership stake in VW would become worthless. > Also, what you are ignoring is that the US can't just come along and close a transnational or foreign company. No, but they could close down the US subsidiary (Volkswagen Group of America) and take all assets that are in the US. > Also, what about subsidaries? Does condé nast get closed if reddit violates the law? Does GM get closed if Opel cheats? Easy, just sell them for whatever you can get for them.