Europe and the US have a very extreme history. These trade norms were established when America was either your (as a west European) your saviour from fascism and protection from Stalinism, or your occupier. They were also fabulously wealthy, successful and powerful.
People have forgotten over the last 10 or 20 years, how things were until the early 90s, at least in terms of narrative perspective.
You think it's odd that in Europe, where the UK/Ireland play a substantial role, that meetings are conducted in English? Especially at tech companies, where US-based companies play a substantial role in the world?
From my experience, English is the common denominator of languages across Europe and tech. Most tech documentation is in English.
Regarding your postscript edit, there are many global participants of varying agendas working to disrupt faithful discussion of real issues and it is easy to be misconstrued, so I wouldn't take it personally.
Europe and the US have a very extreme history. These trade norms were established when America was either your (as a west European) your saviour from fascism and protection from Stalinism, or your occupier. They were also fabulously wealthy, successful and powerful.
People have forgotten over the last 10 or 20 years, how things were until the early 90s, at least in terms of narrative perspective.