France’s deindustrialisation has nothing to do with globalisation

It is often said that France’s deindustrialisation, with all the associated negative effects, is a consequence of globalisation and the opening-up of trade with emerging countries. But this theory is difficult to defend. France has a large and growing external deficit in industrial products with the other euro-zone countries , but not with (non-oil-exporting) emerging countries. France’s exports to emerging countries have increased as much as its imports from emerging countries (including Central European countries). Globalisation must therefore stop being blamed for France’s deindustrialisation. Rather , one must think about France’s structural shortcomings relative to the other euro-zone countries in the areas of skills, taxation, companies’ ability to modernise, etc.