Europe Just Accepted: Our Factories Are Shutting Down!

The story of Europe’s industrial decline begins with the energy crisis of 2022, a crisis that has left deep scars on the continent’s economic landscape. It all started when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted the flow of natural gas to Europe, a resource that many industries relied on heavily. Overnight, energy prices skyrocketed, and factories that once hummed with activity began to slow down. The steel, chemical, and automotive industries, which are the backbone of Europe’s economy, were hit the hardest. These industries are energy-intensive, meaning they need a lot of power to operate. When energy costs soared, many companies found it impossible to keep up.

Germany, Europe’s industrial powerhouse, felt the impact more than most. The country had long depended on Russian gas to fuel its factories, and the sudden cut-off left it scrambling for alternatives. While the government managed to secure gas from other sources, the prices remained high, and the uncertainty made it difficult for businesses to plan for the future. Factories that had been running for decades began to shut down, and workers were laid off in droves. The ripple effects were felt across the entire economy, from small suppliers to large manufacturers.