Christian perspective
This consolidation has Biblical ramifications, or could. The revived Roman Empire of Revelation is certainly well under way.
Any student of scripture also is aware that many other issues on the world stage are lining up with prophecy, such as the virulent hatred of the Jews.
The one matter of concern...the good ol' USA isn't in the prophecy of the Tribulation, so if it's coming anytime soon we're either vacationing in Hawaii the whole time, or scorched earth ala Chinese nukes (and Bill Clinton's gracious gift of the Inertia Guidance System).