European Union producers pay energy costs three times higher than their U.S. competitors. All sectors of production are faced with the choice of either outsourcing or dying.
Tire producer Michelin has announced the closure of its production site in Germany. This means 15,000 layoffs.
The largest German producer of solar panels, Meyer Burger, is threatening to move production to the United States.
Still, the EU Commission goes ahead with its anti-industrial measures. The next step being discussed is a carbon tax on shipping. Mercantile vessels will be forced to buy CO2 certificates, for a price calculation based on the route between two European ports, and half of the route between a European and an international port. The Financial Times reports that some major EU countries are opposing it.
