German Unions Warn Russian Energy Embargo Would Shutter Industry

German industries such as steel, chemicals and paper would shut down within a matter of weeks if the country decided to cut off imports of energy from Russia, the nation’s biggest industrial unions said Tuesday.

“Exploding energy prices, but above all a possible gas embargo, would hit energy-intensive industry -- the mother of the industrial network -- hard,” Michael Vassiliadis, president of Germany’s IGBCE chemical workers union said in a statement. “The consequences would not only be reduced work hours and job losses, but also the rapid collapse of the industrial production chains in Europe -- with worldwide consequences.” ...