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Comment by dahdum | Hacker News Reader

United States, Britain, and France benefit most I'd think. Aren't each large and powerful enough to strong arm neighbors into favorable trade deals if the EU dies? Along with NATO renegotiation?

Trump campaigned on slogans like "We don't win anymore". I think he's trying to choose and court a winning team (Britain, China, etc.). Once the gang is together they'll go raid the world economically. So in my opinion not isolationist, but I could be all wrong.

edit: Since it'll probably come up...I don't support this plan.

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What ? This makes absolutely no sense.

The collapse of the EU will firstly send the world into a recession which given how perilous some countries economies are could take decades to get out of. And given that France IS Europe they would be affected the most. They depend on free trade within the EU and the Schengen has done wonders for their economy. Britain would be ruined given how important EU is to them. US would probably suffer the least but still they depend on NATO as a bulwark against Russian aggression.

Also not sure what on earth "winning team" means. There are no simplistic winners or losers. Some countries have advantages in some areas, disadvantages in others. But everyone depends on global stability, free trade and efficient movement of human capital.

Yes if the EU collapsed recession seems inevitable, but what if it slowly fades? New trade agreements will be made, benefiting some more than others, just like the EU did when it formed.

'Also not sure what on earth "winning team" means.'

Economic aggressor would be another way of putting it. For instance, threatening Canada & Mexico for concessions to NATO that benefit the US. Pulling out of the TPP in order to negotiate 1-1 deals.

'Some countries have advantages in some areas, disadvantages in others. But everyone depends on global stability, free trade and efficient movement of human capital.'

Do we really have those things now? I see a Europe dominated by German interests, treating Greece and others as vassal states. US/CA colonialism over an entire continent. Russia desperately trying rebuild their sphere, and every other regional power exploiting what they can.

Perhaps I just have a grim view of the world.

> Aren't each large and powerful enough to strong arm neighbors into favorable trade deals if the EU dies?

That's a BIG if. It's also not likely, and without it the answer is a resounding "no".

Probably the EU countries will start to fight(war) each other if it's like you say.

So maybe will be a win for usa-china, not for france/uk (as history teaches, also the winner get BIG losses from wars)

Europe has always been a mess continent(and pretty much very poor) until after ww2, where we've started to create a european project(that benefits everyone).

> Europe.. (and pretty much very poor) until after ww2

The 18th, 19th and early 20th century might want to have a word with you.

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