Germany

first (some place), then the world

1. cliché First this location will be conquered, and then in the near future we will conquer the world. "First France, then the world!" cackled the evil leader, as his army poured out of the stronghold and swept across the country.
2. By extension, we will first find success in this location, then that success will quickly spread to the rest of the world. I have a feeling that this product could revolutionize the way the entire planet consumes media. First the United States, then the world!
See also: first, world

today (some place), tomorrow the world

1. cliché First this location will be conquered, soon to be followed by the entire world. "Today France, tomorrow the world!" cackled the evil leader, as his army poured out of the stronghold and swept across the country.
2. By extension, we will first find success in this location, then that success will quickly spread to the rest of the world. I have a feeling that this product could revolutionize the way the entire planet consumes media. Today the United States, tomorrow the world!
See also: today, tomorrow, world

when (something) sneezes, (something else) catches a cold

When a person, group, or entity has a problem or experiences a negative situation, a related person, group, or entity will consequently have a worse problem or will experience a more negative situation. When Paris sneezes, Europe catches a cold. Terrorism in France affects security throughout the continent.
See also: catch, cold
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

when the US/UK/China, etc. sneezes, Japan/Germany, etc. catches cold

or

when the US/UK/China, etc. sneezes, Japan/Germany, etc. catches a cold

mainly BRITISH
If you say that when a particular country sneezes, another catches cold, or catches a cold, you mean that what happens to the first country has a great effect or influence on the second. And when the American economy sneezes, the City of London catches cold. As they say, when America sneezes the rest of the world catches a cold.
See also: catch, cold, japan, UK
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • first (some place), then the world
  • today (some place), tomorrow the world
  • Today here, tomorrow the world
  • come into the world
  • (all) the world over
  • the world over
  • to the ends of the world
  • for all the world as if (someone or something)
  • see the world
  • on the trot
References in classic literature
With very few exceptions, all the so-called Socialist and Communist publications that now (1847) circulate in Germany belong to the domain of this foul and enervating literature.
Communist Manifesto
"I've made all my arrangements now to go to Germany, sir," said Philip.
Of Human Bondage
The Federal Republic of Germany Wednesday, October 3, commemorated German Unity Day, a Public holiday that commemorates the anniversary of German reunification in 1990, when the goal of the United Germany, which originated in the middle of the 19TH Century, was fulfilled again.
Pres. Weah extols Germany
After the Second World War, Germany was divided into East Germany and West Germany.
German Unity Day
Toni Kroos delivered a last-gasp free kick to rescue Germany in Sochi, curling the ball into the top corner from an acute angle.
Toni Kroos' curler rescues Germany at the last against Sweden
He stressed a need for making joint efforts to boost trade between Pakistan and Germany. Germany will encourage the regular exchange of mutual trade delegations between Germany and Pakistan, he added.
Time ripe to strengthen Pak-German ties: Envoy
Alternative fr Deutschland (AfD) or Alternative for Germany is a far-right political party in Germany that is perhaps in its developmental or infancy stage - since it got established in 2013.
German rise of the Right
Most importantly, Kohl was largely responsible for reunifying Germany into a single country.
Helmut Kohl: Architect Of Modern Germany
Germany is one of the United States' closest and strongest allies in Europe.
U.S. relations with Germany
Summit Germany Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, invests in real estate assets in Germany.
Summit Closes Acquisition of Loan on Six German Properties
Germany would finish second unless Ghana or Portugal won and passed Germany on goal differential.
Group G scenarios
Granted Germany has made huge strides in its ever changing energy market and production.
Powerful figures; Mailbag
And with 56 projects in five years, the USA is the number one investor country in Germany's machinery and equipment industry, a further sign of strong business ties.
-Report shows high North American demand for German machinery
"It shows that Germany today is a totally different Germany than it was in the 1920s and 1930s."
World War I ends--again: the fighting stopped in 1918, but it took another 92 years for Germany to pay off the reparations
Germany will finally pay off the last of its debts from World War One on Sunday on the 20th anniversary of German reunification.
Germany finally pays off WW1 debt