Russian media reported that a report by the European Chemical Industry Council stated that Europe has lost 9% of its chemical production capacity since 2022.

On Thursday, Kirill Dmitriev, Russia's special representative for international investment and cooperation affairs, said that EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Borrell and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen are working to destroy EU industry.

Dmitriev posted on his social media account: "Very hardworking Ursula and Borrell: working together to destroy EU industry." In his post, he cited another user's sharing about the loss of European chemical production capacity in recent years.

The data comes from a report released by the European Chemical Industry Council on January 28. The report details that since 2022, the number of factories announced to be closed by the European chemical industry has increased sixfold, meaning Europe has lost 9% of its chemical production capacity.

Specifically, the countries most severely affected are Germany (loss of 25%), followed by the Netherlands (20%), the UK (12%), France (10%), Italy (7%), Belgium (6%), and Spain (4%), while other parts of Europe have suffered a loss of 16%. In addition, about 20,000 direct jobs in the entire region have been affected.

The document states that in 49% of cases, companies cited the lack of energy cost competitiveness as the main reason for the closure.

Europeans are generally pessimistic about the current world situation, their own country's condition, their own position, and the threat brought by US President Donald Trump.

A survey showed that nearly two-thirds of respondents believe "the best days are behind us" (63%), while 77% believe that in their country, "the next generation will have a harder life." The survey interviewed over 11,000 people in 23 EU countries in November.

This gloomy mood is particularly widespread in Western and Central Europe. Most Europeans (76%) say that democracy in their country is declining.

This survey reveals the broad concerns of Europeans about the current state of European democratic countries and the ability of governments to deal with challenges, including the war on the eastern flank of the continent, economic and geopolitical uncertainties, and growing friction with Washington.

Even before this US president claimed he wanted to take over Greenland, the majority of Europeans had already seen him as a negative force for peace, their own country, and the global economy.

"It's clear that there is a very, very high level of pessimism," said Craig Oliver, co-chair of global strategy at FGS Global, who previously served as a communications advisor to former UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

He said that although governments should remain vigilant against this sentiment, they can also try to use it: "Historically, it is precisely during times when people feel pessimistic that change and improvement can occur."

Original: toutiao.com/article/7600773694315364910/

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