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Each little anti-business decision is a multiplier on the previous one. For a long time, nothing happens. Next thing you know, your economy is half the size i

Each little anti-business decision is a multiplier on the previous one. For a long time, nothing happens. Next thing you know, your economy is half the size it could have been. About 15 years ago, the US and EU economies were actually the same size. Since then, the US almost doubled, and the EU is literally stuck at the same size. Why should Europeans be so much worse off? Surely they deserve better - more money, more options? Furthermore, this is clearly part of a larger pattern of targeting big US tech companies. This isn't endearing the EU to business and political leaders in the US.

gambiting 3y ago
>>Furthermore, this is clearly part of a larger pattern of targeting big US tech companies. Because big US tech companies are playing fast and lose with the consumer rights and privacy of our data that we as Europeans have come to expect. If a German or French company was breaking the rules in that way I would also expect them to be treated the exact same way and fined into oblivion. >>This isn't endearing the EU to business and political leaders in the US. I will take protection of consumers over "endearing" ourselves to businesses and political leaders in the US. Your business practices do not trump our expectations as society - but you wouldn't expect any less from foreign companies doing business in US, so why is this surprising? US is constantly introducing tariffs regulations and fines for foreign companies doing business on its soil, because you want foreign business to play by your rules. But when someone does it to you it's suddenly going to collapse our economy? >>Surely they deserve better They do, that's the entire point.
- FredPret 3y ago
  This is completely fair - you have to play by the local rules to be in that economy. But my point is that if those rules become really onerous, then people might calculate that it's better to not play. The best thing is to be the one who invents a new industry, but from over here it seems the big focus over there is not innovation, but regulation. I'm not saying the European economy would ever collapse, I'm saying it suffers from things like this. It's good now, but could have been wonderful.
  - gambiting 3y ago
    >> It's good now, but could have been wonderful. The economy? Sure. The economy really isn't all that societies are about, but I'm sure even you'd agree with that statement - like for example, if someone said that installing permanent unremovable surveilance inside your house and sharing its data publicly would grow your economy by 20%, would you agree to that? Surely it would be wonderful. There's a line that everyone draws - some countries draw it elsewhere than others, but there is a line.

gambiting 3y ago

>>Furthermore, this is clearly part of a larger pattern of targeting big US tech companies. Because big US tech companies are playing fast and lose with the consumer rights and privacy of our data that we as Europeans have come to expect. If a German or French company was breaking the rules in that way I would also expect them to be treated the exact same way and fined into oblivion. >>This isn't endearing the EU to business and political leaders in the US. I will take protection of consumers over "endearing" ourselves to businesses and political leaders in the US. Your business practices do not trump our expectations as society - but you wouldn't expect any less from foreign companies doing business in US, so why is this surprising? US is constantly introducing tariffs regulations and fines for foreign companies doing business on its soil, because you want foreign business to play by your rules. But when someone does it to you it's suddenly going to collapse our economy? >>Surely they deserve better They do, that's the entire point.

FredPret 3y ago
This is completely fair - you have to play by the local rules to be in that economy. But my point is that if those rules become really onerous, then people might calculate that it's better to not play. The best thing is to be the one who invents a new industry, but from over here it seems the big focus over there is not innovation, but regulation. I'm not saying the European economy would ever collapse, I'm saying it suffers from things like this. It's good now, but could have been wonderful.
- gambiting 3y ago
  >> It's good now, but could have been wonderful. The economy? Sure. The economy really isn't all that societies are about, but I'm sure even you'd agree with that statement - like for example, if someone said that installing permanent unremovable surveilance inside your house and sharing its data publicly would grow your economy by 20%, would you agree to that? Surely it would be wonderful. There's a line that everyone draws - some countries draw it elsewhere than others, but there is a line.