One thing I rarely see discussed is how this is a strategic win for the US. It pretty much permanantly destroyed the concept of a unified Europe with Russia and Western Europe now being in a perpetual position of animosity (the US failed to consider that Russia can always sell to Asia and other countries).
The US knows China can’t be beaten, so it ensured Europe doesn’t unify and create a singular economic bloc that would further threaten US interests across the Atlantic. Asia is lost, Europe will be lost sooner or later. The best way out for US was to make sure Europe stays weak forever.
One thing I rarely see discussed is how this is a strategic win for the US. It pretty much permanantly destroyed the concept of a unified Europe with Russia and Western Europe now being in a perpetual position of animosity (the US failed to consider that Russia can always sell to Asia and other countries).
The US knows China can’t be beaten, so it ensured Europe doesn’t unify and create a singular economic bloc that would further threaten US interests across the Atlantic. Asia is lost, Europe will be lost sooner or later. The best way out for US was to make sure Europe stays weak forever.