But that goes both ways: It's no easier for an American to move to and work in France than for a Frenchman to do so in the US. There are plenty of Americans who would love to make the move - to gain quality of life at the expense of a big chunk of their salary - if it weren't for immigration restrictions. A fairer comparison would ask whether the US government has taken any actions against European companies operating in the US similar to those enacted or threatened by Europe against Microsoft, Google, Facebook.

This was my experience when I looked into moving to France from the US a few years ago. I agree with your conclusion as well--this comparison is not a good one.

I would argue that immigration laws are not strictly economic or commercial policies. You’re drawing a false equivalence.

I could be reading it wrong, but your post came across as overly combative and an appeal to whataboutism.

I'd say both are protectionist and both are wrong. My interpretation of your parent was simply that it is protectionist of France to be doing this (and I'd argue that makes it as wrong as the American protectionism that you brought up).