As the Second World War came to an end, many of Europe’s leaders grappled with the ‘Question of Europe’. Should Europe be allowed to revert to its old rivalries or be reconstructed on principles and institutions that would contribute to a positive conception of international relations? The Second World War shattered many of the assumptions and structures on which the European states had based their relations. In 1945, the European states confronted the ruin of their economies and the destruction of the assumptions and structures on which Europe had been founded.

Which of the following statement is incorrect about the EU?

The EU is the world’s biggest economy with a GDP of more than $17 trillion in 2016.

The correct answer is Option 2 : The EU is the world’s biggest economy with a GDP of more than $17 trillion in 2016.

The EU is the world’s second biggest economy, not the biggest economy with a GDP of more than $17 trillion in 2016, next to that of the United States of America.

The EU has economic, political and diplomatic, and military influence. The EU is the world’s second biggest economy with a GDP of more than $17 trillion in 2016 (Correct version of statement 2), next to that of the United States of America. Its currency, the euro, can pose a threat to the dominance of the US dollar (Option 1). Its share of world trade is much larger than that of the United States allowing it to be more assertive in trade disputes with the US and China. Its economic power gives it influence over its closest neighbours as well as in Asia and Africa. It also functions as an important bloc in international economic organisations such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The EU also has political and diplomatic influence. One member of the EU, France, holds permanent seat on the UN Security Council (Statement 3). The EU includes several non- permanent members of the UNSC. This has enabled the EU to influence some US policies such as the current US position on Iran’s nuclear programme. Its use of diplomacy, economic investments, and negotiations rather than coercion and military force has been effective as in the case of its dialogue with China on human rights and environmental degradation.

(Please note- Following a referendum on 23 June 2016, Brexit officially took place on 31 January 2020. The UK is the only sovereign country to have left the EU.)