A Trillion-Dollar Economy Built on Global Cooperation Now Under Threat

The European Union, a bloc of 27 nations that has long been a bastion of economic cooperation and integration, has emerged as a trillion-dollar economy, rivalling the United States in terms of gross domestic product. However, this impressive achievement, built on decades of collaborative efforts and global engagement, now finds itself at a crossroads. The very foundations of international alliances that enabled this success are beginning to crumble, under the weight of rising protectionism and nationalist sentiments.

Poland, a key member of the EU, has been a prime example of a nation that has reaped significant economic benefits from its participation in the bloc. Since joining the EU in 2004, Poland has experienced rapid economic growth, transforming itself from one of the poorest countries in the union to a thriving economy with a GDP per capita that has more than tripled. This remarkable transformation was made possible by the free movement of goods, services, and people within the EU, as well as significant investments in infrastructure and human capital.

However, with the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States, the global order that enabled this economic success is beginning to unravel. The Trump administration’s “America First” approach, marked by a retreat from multilateral agreements and a rise in protectionist trade policies, has sent shockwaves across the globe. The EU, which has long been a pillar of global cooperation and free trade, is now facing an uncertain future.

The threat to the EU’s economic model is not just about trade. The bloc’s very fabric is being tested by the rising tide of nationalism and euroscepticism. The UK’s decision to leave the EU, or Brexit, was a wake-up call for the bloc, highlighting the deep-seated concerns and anxieties among some member states about the EU’s direction. As the EU struggles to respond to these challenges, it must also contend with the erosion of global norms and institutions that have underpinned its success.

In this context, Poland and other EU nations are facing a critical juncture. Will they continue to thrive in a world where global cooperation and free trade are under threat, or will they succumb to the rising tide of nationalism and protectionism? The stakes are high, and the choices they make will have far-reaching implications for the future of Europe and the global economy.