[vanniv]

The arguments are interesting, but in particular claiming that it doesn't matter if the EU can no longer produce basic commodities like fertilizers or steel that it doesn't matter is pretty doubtful.

It's pretty hard to maintain the level of society that we enjoy having without the ability to build stuff, which does require steel to come from somewhere. But even more importantly, if you want to have your large population not starve to death, you need to be able to secure a food supply -- which is not possible without fertilizer.

Some of the other manufactured goods, sure, maybe. But I remember 2021, when it was nearly impossible to get almost everything that we used to think was super commonplace because global supply chains collapsed. Indeed, things haven't really recovered still. Intentionally dismantling supply chains again does seem like a poor strategy for prosperity.