I read you to say that other countries bore the brunt of it, or at least that there was a German competitive advantage. I'd say that would be as untrue for the effects of the 1:1 decision as for direct subsidies. Again I don't debate that other countries were affected, or that Kohl's unthought-through solo action was a fatal mistake that lacked the European spirit. (I note though that later Kohl 'compensated' Mitterrand by giving him France's share in the East German pie, e.g. Total and the infamously corrupt fuel station privatisation.)

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}