As the brits would say, write off Germans at your own peril. They survived two world wars and still became the biggest economy in Europe, so time would tell if they would be able to turn the tide around for a 3rd time
Americans turned the tide with Marshall plan second time. There will be no third time. Germany gutted itself with:
a) very inefficient federal administration system;
b) insanely inefficient social system and
c) uncontrolled immigration and
d) writing laws accordingly car lobby group requirements. Car makers are dead. Well paid jobs gone.
e) tragic demographics.
Indeed, plus miles behind in tech and seemingly doing everything to maintain that.
Although the government will invest in “startups” which meant that one defence (probably drones) related startup gets 500M euros - eggs and baskets comes to mind.
Germany is in invest in defence and conscript the young mode currently. We know where that will lead.