A Bloomberg columnist argues that Europe has found a difficult ally in its own industrial sector as it braces for a cold snap and the weather-driven demand for gas. The piece frames the ongoing industrial production crisis as a stabilizing force for gas prices, suggesting that the downturn in activity buys time and reduces pressure on energy markets during winter. It notes that Germany has endured fourteen straight months of softer industrial output, a trend the author says has helped alleviate potential gas shortages by dampening consumption and demand. In this view, the challenges faced by energy-intensive industries act as a counterweight to price volatility, softening the blow while policy makers navigate the energy squeeze. It is presented as a paradox: a crisis within industry becomes a kind of safeguard against sharper energy disruptions.
The column references forecasts from Morgan Stanley indicating that total gas demand across Europe may run around 15 percent below the five-year average. On this basis, the article argues that European nations could exit the current energy crisis with a marked reduction in manufacturing activity and a slower trajectory for long-term economic expansion. The implication is that the region will bear the consequences in the form of a weakened industrial base while achieving greater resilience in energy supply and pricing stability.
Separately, Hakan Fidan, head of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has weighed in on the crisis by pointing to the energy market and gas supply levels as central factors shaping Europe’s winter outlook. The discussion underscores a shared concern among regional actors about the balance between energy security and economic vitality as energy prices and supply chains adjust to evolving European demand.
Earlier commentary also raised questions about the future of global energy, asking how long oil will remain the dominant energy source and what that would mean for regional and international markets. The ongoing debate reflects a broader shift in energy strategy as governments and industries seek to hedge against price swings while maintaining manufacturing capacity and jobs across Europe.