A general view of German chemical giant BASF in Ludwigshafen, western Germany, on April 20, 2026. Germany's industrial decline is taking a painful toll on communities that have long relied on local manufacturing titans for jobs, prosperity and a sense of a secure future. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP via Getty Images) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY SAM REEVES

The logo of German chemical giant BASF is pictured in front of its headquarters in Ludwigshafen, western Germany, on April 20, 2026. Germany's industrial decline is taking a painful toll on communities that have long relied on local manufacturing titans for jobs, prosperity and a sense of a secure future. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP via Getty Images) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY SAM REEVES

Flag with the logo of German chemical giant BASF is pictured in front of BASF headquarters in Ludwigshafen, western Germany, on April 20, 2026. Germany's industrial decline is taking a painful toll on communities that have long relied on local manufacturing titans for jobs, prosperity and a sense of a secure future. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP via Getty Images) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY SAM REEVES

A general view of German chemical giant BASF in Ludwigshafen, western Germany, on April 20, 2026. Germany's industrial decline is taking a painful toll on communities that have long relied on local manufacturing titans for jobs, prosperity and a sense of a secure future. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP via Getty Images) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY SAM REEVES

BASF's Sinisha Horvat speaks with AFP in Ludwigshafen, western Germany, on April 20, 2026. Germany's industrial decline is taking a painful toll on communities that have long relied on local manufacturing titans for jobs, prosperity and a sense of a secure future. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP via Getty Images) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY SAM REEVES

BASF's Sinisha Horvat speaks with AFP in Ludwigshafen, western Germany, on April 20, 2026. Germany's industrial decline is taking a painful toll on communities that have long relied on local manufacturing titans for jobs, prosperity and a sense of a secure future. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP via Getty Images) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY SAM REEVES

Flags with the logo of German chemical giant BASF are pictured in front of BASF headquarters in Ludwigshafen, western Germany, on April 20, 2026. Germany's industrial decline is taking a painful toll on communities that have long relied on local manufacturing titans for jobs, prosperity and a sense of a secure future. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP via Getty Images) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY SAM REEVES

Flags with the logo of German chemical giant BASF are pictured in front of BASF headquarters in Ludwigshafen, western Germany, on April 20, 2026. Germany's industrial decline is taking a painful toll on communities that have long relied on local manufacturing titans for jobs, prosperity and a sense of a secure future. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP via Getty Images) / TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY SAM REEVES