It is exactly because of the ESTA that the EU is introducing the ETIAS.

It's time to grow up from aping the USA. Europe has no need for that.

They aren't aping they are retaliating.

If it would be a retaliation it would apply only for US citizens, but it's going to apply for Japanese, Israelis, Mexicans, etc...who are used to travel hassle free into Europe.

Canada, Australia and India also have similar travel authorization systems.
I assume that international travellers have become used to a myriad of pre-trip or on-arrival registration schemes that it won't really matter to anyone.

Shot ourselves in the foot? In what respect? The forecast for economic growth once leaving the shackles of the EU is nothing but positive, forecast to leave France looming in the background and to overtake Germany (the other EU countries aren't worth comparing against). Leave all your emotional feelings at the door and take note of the economic experts.

Leaving the EU will have zero impact on non EU visitors so that's all non EU visitors need to concern themselves with. After all, I don't visit the US with Trump's tariff war with China on my mind, why would I?

The forecast for economic growth? Which ones are you talking about? The only positive one I have seen was from an obscure think tank and had such a long time frame as to be useless.

And the negative ones don't?

I could point out to not confuse the macro with the micro.

I could suggest you look at what is considered "negative". There is an Oxford paper which claims Brexit negatives of less "competition" in the workforce. Leading to more worker rights and higher wages. Have we really gotten to the point that Victorian workhouses are considered a positive? Why not just bring back the lash?

Reality is the EU is based on ever widening inequality. Stripping away worker rights in every way.

https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-g...grant-workers/

That's the stuff that is considered a Brexit negative.

Proving your point with a politico article OK.

Pound Sterling is probably as weak as it has been in over 30 years and that´s great news for all EU/non EU visitors who are looking for inexpensive vacations.

What nonsense. There is not a country on the globe that has stronger worker rights than does France and France is not leaving the EU.