EU three

The EU three, also known as the EU big three, EU triumvirate, EU trio or simply E3, refers to France, Germany, and Italy; the three large founding members of the European Union (EU).^[1]^[2]^[3] These countries are generally regarded as the three most politically and economically influential EU member states, with the largest populations, highest military expenditures, and largest economies by nominal GDP, collectively accounting for over half of the EU's economic output.^[4]

Before Brexit, the term was also used to refer to the grouping of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, especially during the negotiations with Iran from 2003.^[5]^[6]^[7]

^ Herszenhorn, David M. (16 June 2022). "Rhetoric and reality collide as France, Germany, Italy back Ukraine's EU bid". Politico. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
^ "EU divided on answer to Brexit 'wake up call'". Retrieved 17 June 2017.
^ "Brexit: Germany, France, Italy vow no talks before Britain makes formal decision on EU - Brexit: UK EU Referendum - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". ABC News. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
^ "These are the EU countries with the largest economies". World Economic Forum. Archived from the original on 2025-04-04. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
^ Bretherton, Charlotte; John Vogler (2006). The European Union as a Global Actor. Routledge. p. 174. ISBN 9780415282451.
^ Jovanovic, Miroslav (11 September 2002). European Economic Integration: Limits and Prospects. Routledge. ISBN 9781134866571. Retrieved 17 June 2017 – via Google Books.
^ Capet, A. (10 October 2006). Britain, France and the Entente Cordiale Since 1904. Springer. ISBN 9780230207004. Retrieved 17 June 2017 – via Google Books.