So, rn without a doubt, Germany. it's keeping EU alive with it's mega economy which shows no signs of slowing down and its widespread resources.
The trinity is France, Germany, UK.
Germany off course, even the BBC explained why British society, way of doing things,... let their industry, finances,... went down the drain, while Germany went from rubble to the strongest nation of Europe. The only one making a lot money from the Chinese (and the other developing nations), while the other Western nations are losing money to the Chinese in trade deficit.
Quote:
EU Probes German Trade Surplus in Push for Broad Growth
By Ian Wishart 2013-11-13T12:32:50Z
European Union regulators began a probe of Germany’s trade surplus, using enhanced powers over how euro nations manage their economies.
The decision to step up monitoring of imbalances in the German economy follows criticism that the country’s current-account surplus -- which at 7 percent of gross domestic product is the second highest in the euro area -- is limiting exports from other euro countries by adding to the strength of the single currency.
The opening of an in-depth review into the imbalances in Germany’s economy comes after the U.S. Treasury blamed German surpluses for draining European and global growth. The International Monetary Fund also reprimanded Germany for its surpluses, urging German Chancellor Angela Merkel to curtail the trade surplus to an “appropriate rate” to help euro partners cut deficits. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-1...ad-growth.html
The US and Europe are seething and demanded answers from the Germans about curtailing their slayage.
I'd say Germany, France and UK tho, with Netherlands probs being 4th(?)
NL is powerful but not as powerful as Italy and Spain. But, that's ok. We reign supreme with our tiny ass country. 16 million inhabitants and catching up with the big countries
The military part is kind of a nonsense. Because Russia is obsessed with spending half of the GDP on military why other countries which could have done the same invest in better healthcare, education, infrastructure. So it all depends on how they want to spend their annual budget and which sector gets the priority.