Germany's industrial decline: VW halts Dresden, BASF shifts to China

Volkswagen ceased car production in Dresden in December 2025, and BASF is reducing capacities in Ludwigshafen while investing in China, signaling a structural erosion of Germany's industrial base. The opinion piece argues that while large firms can globalize, Germany cannot outsource its infrastructure, highlighting a growing tension between corporate strategy and national economic health. This trend underscores a broader deindustrialization risk for Europe's largest economy, with implications for growth and competitiveness.