Trying to recoup their recent losses? Doesn't feel right though to make a distinction based on country of origin. What about "égalité"?
Much like the egalitarian individualism of other western cultures, the idea applies to “our culture” not “the entire world”. This system falls apart otherwise because bad faith participants can easily exploit it. And I’ll add, your argument omitting that key point is one of the common ways people exploit it.
Now, granted, they didn't get around to banning slavery until five years after, so, y'know, this was always more an ideal than anything else.
If it is not right, why every country on earth is doing it?
Also prices in steam are based on country of origin as well.