Beginning in 1995, most countries in the european union started to switch to a common currency. the values of different european currencies were linked to the euro. countries in the european union could then trade without converting currency. why would adopting a common currency be for european traders? european traders can import more goods because the euro is strong. poorer countries in europe became richer because their currency was converted to the euro. wages will be the same in each european country because everyone is being paid in the same currency. exchange between european countries is easier because they are using the same currency.