A Continent of Tourists, Not Leaders

Europe’s decline is most obvious in the global economy. The industries shaping the modern world—artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital finance, and quantum computing—are dominated by the U.S. and China. Industry after industry has drifted from Western dominance to the East over the past decades, and Europe has done little to prevent it.

Gone are the days when European economies could compete on industrial strength alone. The automotive industry, once the pride of Germany and France, is rapidly losing ground to China, whose EV market has left European manufacturers scrambling. Even the fashion industry, one of the last remaining bastions of European economic and cultural influence, faces an uncertain future as luxury brands increasingly cater to Asian consumers and as production shifts away from the continent.

At this point, the harshest critics of Europe don’t even bother calling it a serious power anymore. Instead, they dismiss it as a high-end museum—an open-air exhibition of past glories where Americans and Chinese tourists come to marvel at centuries-old architecture before returning home to countries that actually shape the future. And they’re not wrong.

A Crisis of Leadership and Values

For a time, Europe’s moral high ground provided it with a soft power advantage. The EU could at least claim to be the global leader in human rights, workers’ protections, and democratic norms. But even this is gone.

By standing behind Israel’s campaign in Gaza—despite mounting evidence of war crimes, the International Court of Justice’s warnings of genocide, and the wholesale destruction of Palestinian society—Europe has forfeited any claim to moral leadership. The continent that once prided itself on championing human rights has instead been complicit in one of the most brutal military campaigns of the 21st century.

It was always clear—at least to those who were paying attention—that Benjamin Netanyahu was running out the clock, doing everything in his power to ensure Joe Biden’s defeat and Trump’s return. By constantly undermining U.S. diplomatic efforts and ignoring Biden’s weak attempts at restraint, Netanyahu effectively helped deliver a key bloc of disillusioned Democratic voters into Trump’s hands. But while China and other rising powers began recalibrating their strategies accordingly, European leaders stuck with Washington, failing to recognise that, in a few short months, they would likely be forced to break with it anyway.

The result? Europe is caught in limbo—no longer an economic powerhouse, lacking military strength, and unable to claim moral superiority. The U.S. has moved on, China has outmanoeuvred it, and now, Trump can afford to ignore it entirely. At least Europe still has its beloved regulations—plastic bottle caps that can’t be removed, bureaucratic trade barriers, and a fixation on incremental reforms that have done nothing to stop its decline.

The Future Is Brutal

If the 20th century was defined by European power, the 21st century is shaping up to be the era of its irrelevance. The EU was a great idea in a world that prioritized global integration, where technocratic governance and consensus-driven decision-making made sense. But in an era of realpolitik—where the global mood is shifting to “every nation for itself”—Europe’s structure is a liability.

Its leaders have long played it safe, priding themselves on stability rather than ambition. But playing it safe means never creating anything new. And in a world that rewards boldness, Europe is now paying the price for its caution.

If the bloc wants to reverse its decline, it needs radical decisions, not more photo-ops and statements of concern. Otherwise, it will continue down its current path—becoming less relevant with each passing year, until it is little more than a footnote in the history books of those who actually shaped the modern world.