[blackbear_]

> Can't you just leave that to the countries themselves?

No. A big point in favor of the EU is that countries do not negotiate individually but as a single block. This is an advantage because it gives them more power and the ability of getting better deals (in aggregate). Which is exactly the sort of "bullying" that you are complaining about: by deciding to go alone, the UK is weaker and gets worse deals.

In fact, a well-functioning EU is one of the only ways in which European countries can hope to count anything in a world dominated by much larger economies (US, China, India, ...)

[longdudefromnl]

Call me naïve, but what's the point of 'more power'? And 'better deals'? Didn't we have enough food on the table before the EU? Sure, striving for better is fine, but enough is enough right? And if you've build an economy that's favorable for everyone (as the Dutch have. Especially knowledge. See ASML) you don't need to convince other countries to do business with you. I just don't see the added value of the EU. What I see now is a wealth transfer form the Dutch to the 'poor' EU countries. If you don't believe me, checkout the pension fund management of the Dutch. (more than 1000 billion euro 'disappeared' over the last 10 years and shows up in Greece, Italy, Spain. Or as windmill. Or a rainbow flag.). Man, I get angry even talking about it. Wasting the future of my children.

[blackbear_]

> what's the point of 'more power'?

To defend (y)our interests against other economic blocks that are more powerful and not necessarily nice to you. With ASML you are well covered for now, but China is catching up. And how can 18 million people compete against 1.4 billion? The Dutch GDP is just a bit higher than Beijing'!

I'm not gonna defend every EU policy and I am not arguing that the current state of the EU is satisfactory. All I am saying is that European countries are better off together; there is a reason why "divide and conquer" is a thing.