The European Union, which by now was beginning to reap the benefits of globalization, transforming it into the most affluent consumer market in history, eventually comprising some 500 million people.
EU, der på dette tidspunkt var begyndt at høste fordelene  ved globaliseringen. Forvandlet til det mest velhavende forbrugermarked i historien. Endeligt bestående af omkring  500 millioner mennesker.