2つの運河の危機的状況

イスラム過激派の攻撃により、スエズ運河を通る船が激減しているのは皆さんご存知だと思います。さらに、実は、パナマ運河も大変なことになっています。

パナマ運河は、高低差があるため、ブロックごとに門を閉めることで、少しずつ水位調整しながら進む仕組みになっています。しかし、水不足のため、水位が下がり、パナマ運河は「貨物制限」をしています。今までよりも少ない貨物でないと、船が通れないわけです。さらに、ものすごい渋滞も発生しているとのことです。

スエズ運河・パナマ運河という二つの運河が機能不全に陥り、貿易コストは激増しています。今こそ、重要物資の国内生産に乗り出すべきではないのでしょうか？

The Importance of Domestic Production in the Age of Globalized Trade

In the age of globalized trade, it is becoming increasingly important for countries to have a strong domestic production base. This is because global supply chains are becoming more vulnerable to disruptions, such as the Suez Canal blockage in 2023.
The Suez Canal is a vital trade route that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. In March 2023, a large container ship ran aground in the canal, blocking it for six days. This caused a major disruption to global trade, with billions of dollars in goods being delayed or canceled.
The blockage of the Suez Canal is just one example of how global supply chains can be disrupted. Other potential disruptions include natural disasters, political instability, and pandemics.
In the event of a disruption to global supply chains, countries with a strong domestic production base will be better able to weather the storm. This is because they will be less reliant on imports and will be able to produce essential goods and services themselves.
There are a number of reasons why countries should focus on increasing domestic production. First, it can help to reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions. Second, it can help to create jobs and boost the economy. Third, it can improve national security by reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
Of course, there are also some challenges associated with increasing domestic production. One challenge is that it can be more expensive to produce goods domestically than to import them. Another challenge is that it can be difficult to find qualified workers.
Despite these challenges, the benefits of increasing domestic production outweigh the costs. In the age of globalized trade, it is becoming increasingly important for countries to have a strong domestic production base.
Specific Actions to Increase Domestic Production
There are a number of specific actions that countries can take to increase domestic production. These include:

• Investing in infrastructure: Countries can invest in infrastructure, such as ports, roads, and railways, to make it easier to transport goods domestically.

• Providing incentives for businesses: Countries can provide incentives for businesses to invest in domestic production, such as tax breaks or subsidies.

• Supporting research and development: Countries can support research and development to develop new technologies that can help to reduce the cost of domestic production.

By taking these actions, countries can help to create a more resilient and secure economy.