Gransnet forums

News & politics

Why Europe is WAY More Powerful Than You Think

(58 Posts)
DaisyAnneReturns Thu 12-Feb-26 14:34:41

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHBi7gZyjj4

Most Americans think that the United States is the most powerful place in the world. This video shows us that Europe, might in fact be most powerful.

This shows an American watching and commenting on the facts. It also brings together these facts in a way not only Amercan's may not have thought about but that we may not have either.

AGAA4 Thu 12-Feb-26 15:40:03

Some very interesting facts. I didn't know that Europe holds 8 trillion dollars of American bonds.
I would like to think that Europe is stronger than we think.
Trump has weakened the USA .

tanith Thu 12-Feb-26 16:15:52

America needs to wake-up to all damage Trump has done in losing the trust of the whole World, a very informative video. It would seem Europe is stronger than I certainly knew it was.

Give it a watch thanks for posting.

Oreo Thu 12-Feb-26 16:18:34

Naturally Europe is very strong but getting every country to act together on something would be very difficult.The US or China can decide on a course of action and simply do it.
Therein lies the difference.

David49 Thu 12-Feb-26 17:03:11

Europe has plenty of wealth but we are using it to be comfortable rather than growing economies, we can't defend ourselves without the US, Europe is going to have to change its priorities.

Poland is already well on the way with growth at 3.5% and defence spending close to 5% it's up to the rest to step up.

DaisyAnneReturns Thu 12-Feb-26 20:07:28

That was the bit that really stuck me AGAA4.

The guy who was commenting has seemed well educated and open to understanding on other videos tetanith - he has only recently started covering political ones. He did seem quite suprised by some it. I think hearing it all put together makes a big difference.

keepingquiet Thu 12-Feb-26 21:04:35

Oreo

Naturally Europe is very strong but getting every country to act together on something would be very difficult.The US or China can decide on a course of action and simply do it.
Therein lies the difference.

The USA is a country made up of separate states all with their own laws. It is a Union of States. Not that much different to Europe then, in fact Europe is culturally more cohesive than say the southern states of the US and the states bordering with Canada- not to say Alaska (next door to Russia so what's the fuss about Greenland?) or Hawaii etc.

I have never understood therefore why the US is always suspicious of Europe.

Basgetti Thu 12-Feb-26 22:24:34

Not a surprise to many of us. We were idiots to leave. Hopefully, a temporary blip.

nanna8 Thu 12-Feb-26 22:26:44

Well there are enough people there and it certainly would be extremely powerful if they were in accord. Pigs may fly though.

Oreo Thu 12-Feb-26 22:31:38

keepingquiet

Oreo

Naturally Europe is very strong but getting every country to act together on something would be very difficult.The US or China can decide on a course of action and simply do it.
Therein lies the difference.

The USA is a country made up of separate states all with their own laws. It is a Union of States. Not that much different to Europe then, in fact Europe is culturally more cohesive than say the southern states of the US and the states bordering with Canada- not to say Alaska (next door to Russia so what's the fuss about Greenland?) or Hawaii etc.

I have never understood therefore why the US is always suspicious of Europe.

It’s massively different to Europe, how can you even think that?
If the US decides to attack Iran, the various States couldn’t hold it back.Or anything really important in the world.
Europe is made up of different countries, even within the EU countries don’t always agree.

Oreo Thu 12-Feb-26 22:33:24

The States are all American people, each country in Europe is a separate country with different languages and customs.

Basgetti Thu 12-Feb-26 22:39:17

Many Americans consider themselves very different to the people in the next state. It very much depends on their countries of origin. Many states have a very distinct identity.

keepingquiet Thu 12-Feb-26 22:39:38

Are you saying there are no Spanish speaking Amercians?
Just now about 18% are Spanish speaking and that number is set to grow.

Oreo Thu 12-Feb-26 22:42:37

Basgetti

Many Americans consider themselves very different to the people in the next state. It very much depends on their countries of origin. Many states have a very distinct identity.

Of course the States vary as to laws and geographical differences and so on but they are all proud Americans.

Oreo Thu 12-Feb-26 22:43:38

keepingquiet

Are you saying there are no Spanish speaking Amercians?
Just now about 18% are Spanish speaking and that number is set to grow.

Who’s saying there aren’t any? There are loads.

keepingquiet Thu 12-Feb-26 22:48:41

You were making a point that Europeans speak different languages- but so do Americans!

And can people not also be proud to be European?

Most Europeans are taught English to a very hish standard in schools- unlike lots of Americans who can hardly speak English- just listen to Melania Trump!

Oreo Thu 12-Feb-26 22:50:10

Sigh

Oreo Thu 12-Feb-26 22:52:18

It doesn’t matter what language Americans speak, and they all soon learn English, it’s a country of immigrants but they all call themselves American.
We can’t call ourselves Spanish or Italian.

Oreo Thu 12-Feb-26 22:57:30

The main thing is that the US has massive power and acts when it wants to, Europe is a Continent made up of many different countries with their own heads of State.

Oreo Thu 12-Feb-26 22:58:44

Apologies to DAR for this thread going off piste.

Basgetti Thu 12-Feb-26 23:42:00

Oreo

It doesn’t matter what language Americans speak, and they all soon learn English, it’s a country of immigrants but they all call themselves American.
We can’t call ourselves Spanish or Italian.

Most immigrants to the UK would dearly love to call themselves British. Some people have a problem with that, though …….

DaisyAnneReturns Fri 13-Feb-26 00:12:57

Oreo

Apologies to DAR for this thread going off piste.

Did you watch the video Oreo? It's an interesting view.

Rosie51 Fri 13-Feb-26 00:35:43

keepingquiet

Oreo

Naturally Europe is very strong but getting every country to act together on something would be very difficult.The US or China can decide on a course of action and simply do it.
Therein lies the difference.

The USA is a country made up of separate states all with their own laws. It is a Union of States. Not that much different to Europe then, in fact Europe is culturally more cohesive than say the southern states of the US and the states bordering with Canada- not to say Alaska (next door to Russia so what's the fuss about Greenland?) or Hawaii etc.

I have never understood therefore why the US is always suspicious of Europe.

The big difference being that OK there are state law differences, but there is federal law which afaik trumps (no pun intended!!!) state law. I'm more familiar with Canada (through relatives) where provincial differences exist, but all are superseded by federal laws. As far as I'm aware Europe doesn't have a 'federal law' policy yet?

Having said that I think Europe as a whole should flex its muscles and that includes all countries that aren't in the EU.

David49 Fri 13-Feb-26 07:31:52

WW2 spawned the EU a halfway house to unity, there are vast differences between, each with their own identity they are obsessive about preserving.

Yet almost all changed greatly in the 20th century when the old aristocracies were swept aside. The suspicion of foreigners is still thriving in Europe not least the UK, at least we are not fighting each other as we're were repeatedly before 1900.

There is plenty of diversity between US states, it's not going to happen in Europe but they could have a common foreign and military policy. Similar in fact to the UK where regions have their own identity and local control but common foreign policy

fancythat Fri 13-Feb-26 07:33:53

nanna8

Well there are enough people there and it certainly would be extremely powerful if they were in accord. Pigs may fly though.

I read somewhere that Nigeria now has a higher birthrate, than the whole of Europe and Russia combined.