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Economist Malmendier:
Photo: IMAGO/Christian Spicker
In view of the sharp increase in the number of corona diseases in China, Ulrike Malmendier has warned of new problems for the global economy.
"The supply chains will collapse again," said the economist from the US University of Berkeley to the "Handelsblatt".
The blockades in trade have only just dissolved to some extent.
But if the Chinese ports and factories are closed because almost all employees are ill, this will have dramatic economic consequences.«
Renewed delivery problems are likely to drive up the prices for raw materials and preliminary products "enormously", Malmendier continues.
"I very much hope that the federal government will already develop emergency plans for this case." At the same time, she recommended that China approve and buy a European vaccine in order to protect the local population.
Malmedier also spoke out in favor of keeping the last three nuclear power plants operated in Germany longer on the grid.
"We now know that the winter of 2023/2024 won't necessarily be any easier," says the economy.
"That's why it's important to exhaust all possibilities, and that's where nuclear power plants are part of it."
The decision must now be made quickly so that the operators can prepare and procure new fuel rods.
Malmendier also criticized the Federal Government's course on the nuclear issue for foreign policy reasons: Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), with his late decision to shut down the Emsland, Neckarwestheim 2 and Isar 2 power plants later, but at the same time continue to obtain gas from Russia, "in the caused confusion in the United States."
Since this summer, Malmendier has been a member of the Council of Economic Experts, which advises the federal government on economic issues.
According to the original plan, the government no longer wanted to produce electricity from nuclear power from the beginning of 2023.
In view of the energy crisis, the running time of the three power plants was extended until April.
New fuel rods should not be bought for this.
dab/AFP