The industry without factories, a debate that is resurfacing in France

Jean Tirole, Nobel laureate in economics, stated that reopening factories in France is unrealistic due to global economic competition. He argues that France should focus on breakthrough technologies like AI and biotechnology instead of trying to revive traditional industries. Despite efforts to boost industrial activity post-COVID-19, many sectors are struggling, and the share of industry in France's GDP has stagnated at 10%, compared to 18% in Germany and 16% in Italy. Tirole emphasizes the need for a shift in investment priorities to compete with the US and China.