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Mootingly t1_j2rq23t wrote

In America when you have completion, you just get some mega bucks company to buy them out . You get “two” practical choices for most things if your lucky. Want a Pepsi or a coke? Apple or android? Nvidia or and? Intel or and? Windows or Mac? Electric or gas? Purdue or Tyson? Etc. it’s quite crazy to think about sometimes.

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LordBrandon t1_j2tycmx wrote

It must be asked why Europe doesn't produce alternatives to most of thoes choices.

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Wrackandruin t1_j2u7wta wrote

The last time the EU was larger the US in GDP was 2011, most of the past 40 years US has been bigger. The EU has many smaller firms by comparison, although some monsters like Airbus and BASF SE.

Fun fact, the US used to be around 40% of world GDP in the 60s. Now it is 20% or so. That is one of the largest and fastest declines in relative GDP in history. You know when people say california is the Xth largest economy in the World? Well, you had many more states in the 60s with that claim....

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LordBrandon t1_j2uc877 wrote

Apple was started in a garadge.

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Wrackandruin t1_j2uihln wrote

BASF was founded by a guy who helped install gas lights in a small town.

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Formal-Cow-9996 t1_j2xiwsk wrote

It's actually a very interesting and complex topic, but usually the reasons are the local markets are still divided by cultural lines (most EU states have their own language and marketing is harder for smaller companies), the EU has more regulations (which means they have to be more careful while growing, which would work in a vacuum but then they're killed by the American and Chinese competitors) and many more

Edit: and obviously this is only for mega-corporations. Europeans get plenty of local versions

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