Added to Britain's expected departure next year from the European Union, the milestones show a region entering a new state of flux, with potential implications for the prosperity of its people and global relations. Collectively, the EU could seek to ease worries about trade by strengthening commercial ties with other partners like Japan, China and countries in South America. The U.S. president has also criticized European countries, particularly Germany, for not fulfilling their commitment to spend at least 2 percent of GDP on defense. "The EU, however, will only be a strong player externally, if it manages its internal divisions," she said. If not, "the political void Berlin currently leaves will be filled by other actors, some of which deliberately try to weaken the EU."

Source: ABC News June 01, 2018 17:15 UTC