The American Dominance in the Global Economy:
Europe Falls Behind
When you look at the list of the world’s 25 largest companies, there’s a clear American hegemony: no fewer than 21 of these giants are based in the United States. Major names like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia, Alphabet, and Meta lead the list, joined by financial and industrial heavyweights such as JPMorgan, Berkshire Hathaway, and Tesla.
The Common Thread 🌎
Technology, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors are the engines behind this American growth.
Europe, on the other hand, is now only marginally represented. Only four European companies manage to remain in this top segment: LVMH (France), ASML (Netherlands), Nestlé (Switzerland), and occasionally SAP or Roche. Notably, Europe’s strengths mainly lie in luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, food, and specialized technology.
Fifty Years Ago, Things Were Different
Back then, Europe accounted for almost a third of the top 25, with iconic names such as Royal Dutch Shell, BP, Siemens, Fiat, and Unilever. The US was still dominant, but the differences were much smaller and the focus was mainly on cars, oil, and heavy industry, not on technology.
Startups Get Stuck in Bureaucracy
Europe’s current lag is no coincidence. It is the result of years of fragmented industrial policy, a lack of joint investment power, and a very unfavorable growth climate. Where the US rewards innovation, scale, and risk-taking, Europe struggles with regulations, political caution, and a culture where profit and ambition are often viewed with suspicion. Startups get stuck in bureaucracy, industrial champions are rarely protected or encouraged, and pan-European investment initiatives are scarce.
The Result
Europe still has a lot of knowledge and talent, but offers less and less fertile ground for companies that can grow into global players.
As if Europe’s position wasn’t challenging enough already, new trade barriers have recently been added. Now that the dust has settled from poorly conducted negotiations, we suddenly find ourselves at 15% instead of ZeroForZero. In addition, the EU is set to purchase $750 billion worth of energy and invest $600 billion in the US.
Contact the Van Holland Group
Contact us today to discuss how we can support you. Let’s work together to make your success in the U.S. a reality!
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- Contact us by phone at (+1) 786 233 6384
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