People smarter than me have said that maybe it is time for t..

People smarter than me have said that maybe it is time for the European Union to become the world's tourism hotspot and a museum, because RIP European manufacturing. Patrick Boyle is bringing us another video discussing exactly this situation. What that would do to Europe, would it cause a huge exodus of fairly native Europeans coming here all over again... is something worth looking into. Notes below :)

https://youtu.be/Ev4soChNHtE?si=wADr5yiX4pGszv01

Key takeaway notes:

Industrial Decline in Europe: Industrial production has been falling across most European countries due to high energy costs, sluggish demand, and competition from the U.S. and China, with Eurostat data showing a 2.2% decrease in the eurozone's output over the prior year. Germany's long-standing manufacturing strength is also in decline, raising concerns about its industrial future.

Energy Cost and Dependency Issues: Europe's energy prices, especially for industrial sectors, are significantly higher than in the U.S. and China, exacerbated by dependence on natural gas imports, especially from Russia. The continent's transition to renewables is hindered by challenges in energy reliability, infrastructure costs, and regulatory complexities, further straining industrial competitiveness.

Volkswagen’s Troubles as a Microcosm: Volkswagen, Germany’s largest employer, announced plans to shut down factories and cut jobs, symbolizing Europe's struggle to maintain industrial relevance amidst high energy costs, labor demands, and competition from foreign manufacturers. The company also grapples with an expensive transition to green technology that is not yet in high demand.

Productivity Gap with the U.S.: European productivity, especially in the tech sector, lags behind the U.S., which is attributed to regulatory hurdles and a lack of investment in innovation. Former ECB President Mario Draghi warns that without structural changes, Europe’s industrial relevance and economic growth will continue to decline.

Demographic and Economic Shifts: Europe faces an aging workforce, and projections show a significant drop in the working-age population by 2040, which may further hinder growth. Additionally, Germany’s industrial model, once powered by cheap Russian gas and high global demand for exports, faces major challenges due to energy costs and shifting global trade dynamics.