> Removing these obstacles crushed local industry, which is why less developed countries ended up with close to zero industrial production after joining the EU

> Removing these obstacles crushed local industry, which is why less developed countries ended up with close to zero industrial production after joining the EU (thus starting the social, employment and competitiveness problems most smaller EU nations are facing). These sorts of talking points exist everywhere, in the West and in the East, state aid is one of the most attacked elements of the EU. Actually the talking point is near identical in the UK, that manufacturing has died because the government hasn't been able to step in (in effect, to prop up uncompetitive industries). Manufacturing has in fact plummeted in most developed countries, and it's easy for governments to pass the blame onto the EU.