While Musk and his companies are very visible, the reality is that many countries — including Canada — have become far too dependent on US tech products, particularly the digital services and platforms we now rely on for so much of our work, communication, and entertainment. The global expansion of the internet
facilitated the international dominance of US tech companies and the expansion of US power as a result. But that trade isn’t working, and as tech billionaires push the Trump administration to
lash out at any countrytaxing or regulating US tech companies, it’s long past time countries fought back.
Instead of giving in to US pressure, governments need to become far more ambitious with tech regulation of many forms. Countries don’t need to buy into the
disingenuous framing of “free speech” being pushed by Silicon Valley and the extreme right and should adopt stronger regulations to limit the deceptive information and conspiracy theories distorting the public’s understanding of the world around them. If US platforms won’t comply, they should face the consequences — as they are more frequently in Europe — but if they continue to refuse, they should face outright bans. Tech companies need to know they will be held accountable, and that means they must respect the rules and laws in the places they operate.