"The US strong protectionism is not through tariffs but through tax incentives, targeted investments hidden as national security contracts and things like "buy american" acts."
what fraction of GDP is that? 1-5%?
Europe semi public enterprises have a much bigger weight. Banking, energy, postal services, transport, telecommunications were until recent national monopolies and protecting domestic champions is still a matter of national interest.
Did you mention postal services? You mean like US, where only USPS has the right to put mail into your mailbox... and it's a federal criminal offense for anyone else to deliver mail into your mailbox?
what fraction of GDP is that? 1-5%? Europe semi public enterprises have a much bigger weight. Banking, energy, postal services, transport, telecommunications were until recent national monopolies and protecting domestic champions is still a matter of national interest.