[geocar]

> If I have a brick and mortar business in the US and some one from the EU decides to do business, do I have to follow EU consumer protection laws? Unless I have an physical presence in the EU why should I have to follow their regulations?

You don't.

If they're not In The Union, and you're not In The Union, then you're not required to comply with the GDPR.

> Further, why cannot the EU just allow its citizens just do business with other extra-national companies if they choose to? Meaning, if an EU citizen chooses to do business with a non-GDPR compliant website, why does the EU care?

It's impossible to give consent for something if you don't fully understand the ramifications of what you're consenting to[1].

[1]: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/17/us/politics/cambridge-ana...