re: I don't see things working out too well economically for the EU.

Merkel has technically accomplished more than what Germany did in WWII with the invention of the EU and never fired a shot. She basically runs the EU due to the strongest economy outside GB.

I do find her recent comments about Trump and the U.S. stating that after Trump's visit to Europe it was "clear that now the EU countries would not be able to count on the US for assistance and they would have to stand on their own"

I'm all for helping to protect EU, but that comment just proves how much the US propped up many of those governments. They SHOULD IMO be self sustaining, but as most socialists they are looking for handouts.