As far as I know, big EU companys do that, when they visit US, or they don't have sensitive information with them in the first place.

The problem is not the data on the machine, it's that you connect that machine to your trusted network when you're back.

Especially when border cops can seize your phone / ask for your passwords

One of the companies named in thr Bloomberg article does. They just deatroy your laptop if it was in the hands of customs without your supervision for any length. US customs explicitly included, which is kind of wierd if you ask me.

That’s perfectly expected. It’s not a stretch of the imagination to think border checks are abused for industrial espionage. If it gives your country a major advantge nothing is off limits these days.

That doesn't strike me as odd at all.

My employer - doing lots of interesting engineering in among others the marine and aerospace sectors - certainly do that; we're based in Europe.

Basically, any device brought to the US and a number of other countries are issued for one-time use; if they leave our custody for even an instant, they are to be scrapped.

Some companies certainly do that (in case the question was for me).