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Ole Lehmann@itsolelehmann · Jan 13, 2025

I'm German. 16 years ago, the EU and US economies were neck and neck. Today, the US economy is 50% larger than the…

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Summary

The author argues that over the past 16 years, the US economy has grown to 50% larger than the EU's due to America prioritizing innovation and entrepreneurship while Europe prioritizes regulation and security, resulting in brain drain, zero trillion-dollar companies in Europe, and an anti-business culture that is driving talent and startups away.

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  1. #1

    I'm German. 16 years ago, the EU and US economies were neck and neck. Today, the US economy is 50% larger than the entire EU combined. Here's the devastating truth behind Europe's ongoing economic suicide 🧵:

  2. #2

    First, let's look at the numbers: • US GDP: $25.5 trillion • EU GDP: $16.6 trillion But in 2008, they were nearly equal. What the hell happened over the past 16 years? It's simple:

  3. #3

    Europe chose security over growth. America chose innovation over regulation. The results? America has produced 9 trillion-dollar companies (9/10 of the most valuable companies in the world). Europe? ZERO. Nowhere to be found:

  4. #4

    But it goes deeper than numbers... European talent is fleeing en masse. I see most European entrepreneurs choosing between two paths: • The US for higher salaries ($350k+ tech jobs) • Southeast Asia for lower cost of living to build startups Why?

  5. #5

    Because Europe made it impossible to win at home. Take Berlin's startup scene (where I used to live): Founders are often viewed with suspicion. "Entrepreneur" = exploiter I witnessed tech founders being called "capitalist parasites" at local meetups.

  6. #6

    Meanwhile in places like Silicon Valley and NYC: Founders are celebrated. Risk-taking is rewarded. Failure is seen as education, not embarrassment. To make matters even worse...

  7. #7

    Europeans are drowning in red tape: • Employment laws making hiring/firing impossible • Tax rates crushing small businesses • Compliance costs killing innovation To start a company in France takes 84 days In America? 4 days.

  8. #8

    Even French president Emmanuel Macron admits it. When comparing Europe to the American and Chinese markets, he said:

  9. #9

    The anti-innovation mindset is killing Europe. For example, when Elon Musk built Giga Berlin, Germans protested: "No techno-colonialism" Tesla almost cancelled the project due to regulatory hurdles and community opposition. This happens daily with smaller companies too.

  10. #10

    Europe's regulatory culture created an economic spiral of doom: • Talent leaves • Companies avoid investing • Innovation dies • Economy stagnates • More regulation follows This is why memes like "Europoors" exist.

  11. #11

    The numbers are brutal: • 90% of EU tech talent would move to US for right offer • European tech salaries: 50% lower than US • Startup funding: 5x higher in US And Europe's few tech successes?

  12. #12

    Most of them move to America: • Spotify (now NYC-based) • Klarna (major US operations) • ARM (being acquired by NVIDIA) The theme here is obvious:

  13. #13

    While Europe debates the ethics of AI... America builds it. While Europe regulates cryptocurrencies... America innovates them. While Europe protects old industries... America creates new ones.

  14. #14

    The solution? In my eyes, Europe must: 1. Slash regulations 2. Embrace risk-taking 3. Support entrepreneurs 4. Lower taxes on innovation But will they?

  15. #15

    As a European, I unfortunately doubt it. The regulation addiction is too deep. The anti-business culture too ingrained. As one French friend/entrepreneur told me: "I love Europe, but I can't build my future here. The system won't let me."

  16. #16

    This is why America keeps winning. Not because Americans are smarter. But because their system benefits those who build.

  17. #17

    Europe has become a museum: • Great at preserving the past • Terrible at building the future Unless Europe slashes regulations and embraces risk-taking, the gap will only widen. As a German, this pains me deeply. I love Europe...

  18. #18

    The rich culture and history. The incredible cuisine. The best techno scene on Earth. The fact a 2-hour flight takes you to new worlds with new language, new culture, new country. I'm rooted here.

  19. #19

    But beneath this beautiful diversity lies a common problem: Every European country shares the same anti-entrepreneurship mindset. It doesn't matter if you're in Berlin, Paris, or Stockholm... The system is designed to hold builders back.

  20. #20

    This is forcing a generation of Europeans to make an impossible choice: Stay in a culture we love but can't build in? Or leave everything behind to chase opportunity?

  21. #21

    The question isn't if Europe will fall behind. It already has. It's on its way to irrelevancy. And its a reason why I'm currently looking to move out of the continent. The real question is.... Will they change course before its too late?

  22. #22

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