Industry: Made in Germany too expensive? "Then you have to question the respective industry

Henrik Ahlers, head of the German consulting firm EY, calls for a clear target to stop the crisis of the location. In an interview, he explains why industrial structural change is not negative per se – and how much a change of mood in the economy could result.

China has already caught up with Germany in several advanced industrial sectors, say the country's economists, criticizing both the "typical German fear of aggressive competition" and support for uncompetitive companies. They urge the country to now focus on areas where it is strongest.

In 2015, American think tank Brookings published the report Lessons from Germany: Skills and Strategies to Strengthen U.S. Manufacturing. At that time, Germany was a benchmark. American industry was experiencing a serious crisis. Six million jobs had been lost, basically due to automation and relocation of activities to Asia. Inequality, social tensions and the impoverishment of the middle classes anticipated the arrival of extremist politicians…