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Germany has such a supply chain for some sectors (e.g. cars, chemicals). The question is do we want to protect it to some extent or let the free market do its t

• close04 2mo ago
  Almost 50% of the energy consumption of the German chemical industry is natural gas. Its competitiveness is at the mercy of countries with no duty to Germany and they're the root of the supply chain. > let the free market do its thing The problem with the free market is that there's no such thing. Every market is regulated to some degree, the state has its finger on the scales somewhere. It needs to for things that are are strategically important or for the welfare of the citizens. It can be subsidies for fuel, tariffs for some import, market abuse regulation, there's always a mechanism in place to keep things on a specific track. As much as the 4 year democratic cycle allows in specifying that track. The free market suffers from the same weakness communism does. It relies on deeply flawed humans. The more flawed, the more likely they'll be the ones pulling the strings. And they'll tear apart the fabric of society to make more money.
  • throwaway473825 2mo ago
    Natural gas can be replaced with coal gasification, and Germany has an endless amount of coal. It would probably even be cheaper, although much dirtier. China is already doing this.