That wasn't a generic anti-government rant, that's an actual thing. Regulations have unintended effects, and many regulations aren't written very well to begin with, and then function even worse later as time changes the environment but not the regulation.

And the emissions standards (in the US) have essentially caused the market to produce all stupidly large trucks.

They've also caused other undesirable things like vehicles that are supposed to be rugged now all getting turbos, and ordinary cars that weigh more than large trucks thanks to batteries, and actual large trucks being utterly bonkers weight in ev form.

The problem isn't that there are any regulations, it's merely that they are out of alignment and producing bad results.

Governments can pick winners and losers through the tax code and through tariffs. They made importing smaller trucks cost prohibitive in this case.

It's not an "individual choice" when the options are entirely unavailable due to regulatory discrimination.

The government absolutely dictates what cars can be on the road, and therefore what cars you can close to buy. I would love to drive a tiny little affordable thing, I can't because emissions or some other sorry excuse for protectionism.

The government affects which vehicles are available for purchase.