The trade balance is actually positive - with the US as the winner. Let’s change that.

[Juks]

Okay, Trump keeps talking about how "unfair" the EU and Canada (and the rest of the world) are to the US, how much we export to them while they import so liiiiiittleeee… But that’s a truth with modifications. So here’s my proposal:

Let’s hit right at that modification.

The tech industry isn’t counted as export/import, even though it’s overwhelmingly American. If we included modern services—cloud platforms, social media, subscription services—EU imports from the US would skyrocket. In fact, the trade balance would be negative with a capital N, maybe even twice as bad as officially reported. Traditional statistics don’t capture this because digital services are categorized differently or hidden in offshore setups to dodge taxes. Canada is probably hit by the same distortion.

So what can we do?
1. Digital tariffs and fees

• Tariffs on cloud services – Fees on data transfers from US-based cloud providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
• Fees on social media – Platforms like Facebook, Twitter/X, TikTok, and YouTube could be charged a market access fee per active user in the EU/Canada.

2. Tougher taxation on tech giants

• Digital Services Tax (DST) – Previously blocked by the US but could now be enforced based on revenue in each country.
• Localization requirements – Companies would be forced to store data locally and pay higher taxes to operate in the market.

3. Licensing fees and regulatory costs

• Licensing fees per user – Like TV licenses, where platforms pay per active user or per ad view.
• Fees on data collection – A tax based on the volume of user data collected and sold to advertisers, hitting Meta and Google hard.

4. Restrictions and regulatory barriers

• Antitrust measures – The EU can tighten competition rules and hit tech giants with even bigger billion-dollar fines.
• Stricter data protection – GDPR can be expanded with even tougher restrictions on data collection and AI training.
• Geoblocking and market access – US tech companies could be required to comply with EU standards, forcing costly adjustments.

5. Support for domestic alternatives

• Public funding for European and Canadian services – Investments in local cloud platforms (e.g., OVHCloud) and social media alternatives (e.g., Mastodon).
• Ban on US cloud services in the public sector – Would create a huge market for European alternatives.

Meanwhile, US tech giants are vacuuming up the European market for innovation—funded by American tax dollars! This has to stop! The US needs to quit exploiting European ingenuity just to boost itself. Come up with something on your own for once! (Complaining about China? Ridiculous!)

 

[tobytone]

Okay, Trump keeps talking about how "unfair" the EU and Canada (and the rest of the world) are to the US, how much we export to them while they import so liiiiiittleeee… But that’s a truth with modifications. So here’s my proposal:

Let’s hit right at that modification.

The tech industry isn’t counted as export/import, even though it’s overwhelmingly American. If we included modern services—cloud platforms, social media, subscription services—EU imports from the US would skyrocket. In fact, the trade balance would be negative with a capital N, maybe even twice as bad as officially reported. Traditional statistics don’t capture this because digital services are categorized differently or hidden in offshore setups to dodge taxes. Canada is probably hit by the same distortion.

So what can we do?
1. Digital tariffs and fees

• Tariffs on cloud services – Fees on data transfers from US-based cloud providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
• Fees on social media – Platforms like Facebook, Twitter/X, TikTok, and YouTube could be charged a market access fee per active user in the EU/Canada.

2. Tougher taxation on tech giants

• Digital Services Tax (DST) – Previously blocked by the US but could now be enforced based on revenue in each country.
• Localization requirements – Companies would be forced to store data locally and pay higher taxes to operate in the market.

3. Licensing fees and regulatory costs

• Licensing fees per user – Like TV licenses, where platforms pay per active user or per ad view.
• Fees on data collection – A tax based on the volume of user data collected and sold to advertisers, hitting Meta and Google hard.

4. Restrictions and regulatory barriers

• Antitrust measures – The EU can tighten competition rules and hit tech giants with even bigger billion-dollar fines.
• Stricter data protection – GDPR can be expanded with even tougher restrictions on data collection and AI training.
• Geoblocking and market access – US tech companies could be required to comply with EU standards, forcing costly adjustments.

5. Support for domestic alternatives

• Public funding for European and Canadian services – Investments in local cloud platforms (e.g., OVHCloud) and social media alternatives (e.g., Mastodon).
• Ban on US cloud services in the public sector – Would create a huge market for European alternatives.

Meanwhile, US tech giants are vacuuming up the European market for innovation—funded by American tax dollars! This has to stop! The US needs to quit exploiting European ingenuity just to boost itself. Come up with something on your own for once! (Complaining about China? Ridiculous!)

Wow, that's quite the spectacle. lol It's incredible how far some will go to undermine America's global standing. The liberal elite in DC spew anti-American rhetoric, which then seeps down to their minions. They're clueless about why they've lost power and why their long-term schemes are falling apart. I'm loving every second of this, just like most of America. We've been, and continue to be, exploited.

As Trump has often pointed out, I wouldn't fault foreign entities, I'd do the same if dealing with the corrupt American politicians making shady deals for a slice of 'cooperation' with these sellouts. Anyway, keep thinking, it's not common on the left, so kudos for that. But think about this. if those obsessed with proving America's inferiority switched sides and used their intellect to enhance our country. Obviously a pipe dream, but one must dream to keep positive outlook, it works for me anyways.

 

[Juks]

Wow, that's quite the spectacle. lol It's incredible how far some will go to undermine America's global standing. The liberal elite in DC spew anti-American rhetoric, which then seeps down to their minions. They're clueless about why they've lost power and why their long-term schemes are falling apart. I'm loving every second of this, just like most of America. We've been, and continue to be, exploited.

As Trump has often pointed out, I wouldn't fault foreign entities, I'd do the same if dealing with the corrupt American politicians making shady deals for a slice of 'cooperation' with these sellouts. Anyway, keep thinking, it's not common on the left, so kudos for that. But think about this. if those obsessed with proving America's inferiority switched sides and used their intellect to enhance our country. Obviously a pipe dream, but one must dream to keep positive outlook, it works for me anyways.

Trump and the majority of the American people left us no choice. We have fueled your economy for centuries. We have refrained from imposing protective measures while you have drained our market of inventions. We have supported you in every sense, in every way, to keep you as the dominant power in the world. And now you use that power against us, just because you think you can. You complain about China stealing technology from you, yet you have built your economy by doing the same to us. What does that make you? (And by the way, the essential advancements in AI were actually made by the British—but Google bought the most promising company, DeepMind, with the help of state funding...) We have not established anything equivalent to CFIUS (Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States) to prevent foreign acquisitions of small companies, nor do we use state funds for such purchases. But it's time we did. If for no other reason, then at least to ensure that when your economy collapses, you don’t take us down with you.

It was crystal clear what Trump intended to do before the election—he told you himself. Yet you still voted for him. We did not. There is no reason for us to pay or share the costs of his idiocracy. Your choice, your cost. Not mine.

 

[dmpi]

Interesting. I learn something new everyday.

 

[tobytone]

Trump and the majority of the American people left us no choice. We have fueled your economy for centuries. We have refrained from imposing protective measures while you have drained our market of inventions. We have supported you in every sense, in every way, to keep you as the dominant power in the world.

A little Monday morning delusion, eh? You'll have to spell it out for me. The U.S. has been the economic titan thanks to our own resources, industrial might, and sheer innovation - with a nod to many countries, but not exactly to Sweden. Your old, outdated, and frankly, tiny military would've been a cakewalk to overcome if you weren't clinging to the coattails of far mightier nations. So, who really saved who here? I'm scratching my head because I have NO IDEA what you're talking about. Please, enlighten me.

And now you use that power against us, just because you think you can. You complain about China stealing technology from you, yet you have built your economy by doing the same to us.

Again, this is delusional, I can only imagine you're talking about a typical economic relationship between the two countries where there's mutual benefit and trade, I guess?? Help me out here too.

What does that make you? (And by the way, the essential advancements in AI were actually made by the British—but Google bought the most promising company, DeepMind, with the help of state funding...)

The best country on the planet by every metric, well, unfortunately because of libtard thinking we have slipping in education. Google did what successful companies do, buy things that make sense to buy. It's called he real world. Again clarify what you're talking about.

We have not established anything equivalent to CFIUS (Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States) to prevent foreign acquisitions of small companies, nor do we use state funds for such purchases. But it's time we did. If for no other reason, then at least to ensure that when your economy collapses, you don’t take us down with you.

Alright, go ahead, cry me a river. Are you upset because we snagged something you think was too good for us, or are you just mad that we could actually find it anywhere else on this planet? We've got CFIUS because, unlike some, we try not to be idiots, at least not all the time. I'm guessing you don't have one because you're just so eager to sell us your tech, right? Can't say I blame you though. When you've got a rich neighbor with more going on than, say, 'Sweden,' it's only smart to try and fill those soft spots in their market. Newsflash: you're not our only option. Clarify your point, will you?

It was crystal clear what Trump intended to do before the election—he told you himself. Yet you still voted for him. We did not. There is no reason for us to pay or share the costs of his idiocracy. Your choice, your cost. Not mine.

Ok, I'm not the one whining. Apparently you work for someone or in an industry or the government affected by a Trump policy. Tell me how or what company or industry, I'm genuinely interested. I'm not saying I'll be sympathetic, but interested just the same.

 

[ColdHardTruth]

Okay, Trump keeps talking about how "unfair" the EU and Canada (and the rest of the world) are to the US, how much we export to them while they import so liiiiiittleeee… But that’s a truth with modifications. So here’s my proposal:

Let’s hit right at that modification.

The tech industry isn’t counted as export/import, even though it’s overwhelmingly American. If we included modern services—cloud platforms, social media, subscription services—EU imports from the US would skyrocket. In fact, the trade balance would be negative with a capital N, maybe even twice as bad as officially reported. Traditional statistics don’t capture this because digital services are categorized differently or hidden in offshore setups to dodge taxes. Canada is probably hit by the same distortion.

So what can we do?
1. Digital tariffs and fees

• Tariffs on cloud services – Fees on data transfers from US-based cloud providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
• Fees on social media – Platforms like Facebook, Twitter/X, TikTok, and YouTube could be charged a market access fee per active user in the EU/Canada.

2. Tougher taxation on tech giants

• Digital Services Tax (DST) – Previously blocked by the US but could now be enforced based on revenue in each country.
• Localization requirements – Companies would be forced to store data locally and pay higher taxes to operate in the market.

3. Licensing fees and regulatory costs

• Licensing fees per user – Like TV licenses, where platforms pay per active user or per ad view.
• Fees on data collection – A tax based on the volume of user data collected and sold to advertisers, hitting Meta and Google hard.

4. Restrictions and regulatory barriers

• Antitrust measures – The EU can tighten competition rules and hit tech giants with even bigger billion-dollar fines.
• Stricter data protection – GDPR can be expanded with even tougher restrictions on data collection and AI training.
• Geoblocking and market access – US tech companies could be required to comply with EU standards, forcing costly adjustments.

5. Support for domestic alternatives

• Public funding for European and Canadian services – Investments in local cloud platforms (e.g., OVHCloud) and social media alternatives (e.g., Mastodon).
• Ban on US cloud services in the public sector – Would create a huge market for European alternatives.

Meanwhile, US tech giants are vacuuming up the European market for innovation—funded by American tax dollars! This has to stop! The US needs to quit exploiting European ingenuity just to boost itself. Come up with something on your own for once! (Complaining about China? Ridiculous!)

I am all for Amazon and Facebook paying out billions.