Yes, I understand that Medium has to follow IRS rules. And it's a flat 10% I have to pay, whether I earn $50 or $500. And it's not refundable. People who write for Medium in Malaysia have to pay a flat 30%. Medium withholds that money.

I am not American. Why the hell should I pay America any tax? No other country's tax authorities has laws/rules like this.

I lived in America for 11 years. I don't think I paid tax once because I earned so little. So I'm well aware of how American tax works. But I have also worked in many countries, and American tax codes are unethical. The only reason they get away with it is that America will hoist trade sanctions or go to war with country resisting its grasp.