It’s time to buy Italian products and help our economy. Or NOT?

I am noticing an increase on the web (especially social media)

of personal campaigns against the purchase of foreign products in favour of Italian versions so as to help – on one hand – the economy of our country and – on the other – boycott foreign brands.

In fact, this trend already existed, but since the Coronavirus emergency exploded, I have the distinct impression that there has been considerable growth in this regard. For example, I have read many post against the French or German owned LSD, and some even encourage customers to stop buying products Made in China because the Chinese “are the plague of the planet”.

Now, omitting the latter point of view, which I personally find lacking in logical sense as well as rather racist, here’s my question:

are we really sure that favouring an Italian product over a German or French product will we be helping to boost our own economy?

I can understand – but not share the view – that certain comments are the fruit of emotional reactions, but it seems to me a bit like when everyone despairs because a prestigious and historic Italian company is taken over by foreigners, when conversely – in my opinion – this buyout will actually save the company. I think, for instance, to the new capital made available to investments, or to the involvement of more competent managers, capable of managing these companies better and saving them from going bankrupt, and therefore thanks to these contributions, the companies can continue its manufacturing business giving employment to thousands of people.

So, although I am certain that this post will give rise to conflicting feelings for some of you, and in particular in those who have a different view from mine, I can’t not air my view on the campaigns against foreign products (also because I see the sharing of opinions, even opposite ones, as a reason of growth).

We shouldn’t forget when we speak of large scale distribution, even if the owners are foreign, this gives tens of thousands of jobs to Italian workers. Many products on sale are Italian. Logistics employs many of our fellow countrymen and the same applies to the activities that revolve around construction and maintenance.

Another example is that of the automotive industry. To those who argue that it is better to buy Italian cars “to give work to the Italians”, I cannot fail to note that it should not be assumed that the assembly work (usually performed by the company that owns the brand of the vehicle) has an economic value higher than that relating to the supply of components.
What I mean is, it is possible that in the production of a German car, there is a higher level of turnover for the Italian companies that supply a range of components, than there is when the vehicle is produced in Italy, given that maybe they assemble parts made by foreign suppliers.

Moral of the story:

the world we live in has changed. It is now a fully globalized world economy: we all work for everyone and we increasingly find ourselves facing companies (the more prosperous ones at least) with turnover evenly distributed across the world.
This means that “we are all in the same boat” and that it is essential to cooperate and to assist each other without distinctions linked to the country or continent of origin.

Are we certain that behind what we tend to call national pride there is, in actual fact, a lack of knowledge of certain dynamics and – why not – even a smidgen of racism?