[chewz]

It is posturing for internal effects.

The position of Europe vs USA is analogous to Greek States vs Roman Republic. Good art and lifestyle but nothing in terms of military and economic power.

When Roman Republic got more authoritarian (transforming to Roman Empire) - Greek states had lost the remnants of its independence.

Being a satellite state works that way.

The issue is that in terms of military and economic power EU used to be much stronger 20 years ago and that strength have been deliberately wasted by current generation of politicians still in power.

Political class in Europe made multiple wrong choices in the last years despite warnings.

[jleyank]

The economic power of the EU >> military power of EU. If it's combined with Canada, Korea and Japan, it's pretty significant and basically self-sufficient for food and materials.

[rsynnott]

> Good art and lifestyle but nothing in terms of military and economic power.

... I mean, the context is the Anti-Coercion Instrument. That is essentially economic power weaponised; in the context of EU vs US it's a mutually assured destruction option.

(Creating an economic doomsday machine is a _very_ EU solution.)