[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Girlcopper

Serious? How about made in America with imported fabric from special cotton planted in special soil that flew here on a foreign based plane. Otherwise, who cares where the fabric is from. The product is made in the USA. Cant have everything

Tell that to the Federal Trade Commission. It's their rule, and they can fine companies who violate it. But, some companies do try to make money using false USA advertising. I have seen some cloth masks online for $25 and labeled "Made in USA". I think that less than 3 percent of the clothing fabric sold is actually made in America.

[jdulej]

Originally Posted by rpcurt

Boeing is the largest US manufacturing exporter. We also, thanks to Pres Trump, have become the world's largest producer of oil and gas, which we export.
True, we lost hundreds of manufacturers during the Obama years...recall Obama saying 'manufacturing will never return to the US'.
Intellectual property is a huge product for the US.
But here is a crazy example: golf balls. COSTCO makes its Kirkland golf balls in China. Why? Making golf balls is not a labor-intensive process, but somehow it makes economic sense for COSTCO to make them in China and pay to ship them to the US. The raw materials cost the same in US, manufacturing machines cost the same, labor costs are low.
So what is different? Taxes, regulations (like OSHA, etc.), ease of doing business.

Nice try, trying to blame the problem on Obama and Dems in general. Isn't going to fly, and hopefully most with a clear head and memory know that. The export of work to cheap labor has been going on for decades. Started by moving manufacturing from the north to the south. Then from the south to "elsewhere" not in the USA. This was called "smart business" and certainly NOT backed by most Dems and unions.
When we were living in California (great place btw, land where people are more important than low prices) we were looking to have a cabinet custom build for us. The woodworker we talked to informed us that we should get it build in North or South Caroline, where there were lite (or no) rules regulating what type of chemical finishes could be used. "They may be dead by the time they reach 60, but they use the best finishes you can find" Now that work has mostly shipped overseas. Is that bad? You decide, I know what I think.

[merrymini]

We should certainly make sure that medical products are controlled by us so another country cannot hold us hostage. Remember the antibiotics made in china to the tune of 90 percent? What if they wanted to withhold it during covid? Certain chips and other manufacturing items should not all be under the control of other countries. I try to buy American whenever possible and reasonable to do so. Let’s get back to work.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by Larchap49

Yes but the trade agreements are exceptionally lopsided

but at least both sides think that

[fcgiii]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

As rlcooper70 says, robots are doing more and more factory jobs so, with labor costs being the biggest reason why US products tend to cost more than those made overseas, you will soon be able to Buy American AND have fewer Americans employed in manufacturing.

Too true. Add to that the COVID keeping people home and the torrent of money flowing out of Washington there is little incentive for Americans to go to work. The pressure to raise the minimum wage adds to the pressure to replace people with automation. America has morphed from a manufacturing country to a service one. Now that too is being automated. ATMs have long since replaced bank tellers. You place your restaurant order on your phone. I see a future where the "developed" countries only jobs are in the government, nobody else works but gets the dole, and everything is made by robots and computers or overseas.

Be glad you lived in the best years of America.

[jdulej]

Originally Posted by NoMo50

While your overall point has merit, some clarification is in order: Costco doesn't "make" anything. They have manufacturing/licensing agreements with hundreds of manufacturers, and then put the Kirkland brand name on the product. Most of the Kirkland brand products are made by well known manufacturers, many of which are in the USA. Those Kirkland AA and AAA batteries you see at Costco at great prices are actually made by Duracell. The Kirkland golf balls are (or at least were) made by Callaway (Costco has a long relationship with Callaway). In fact, roughly 90% of premium golf balls are made in the USA...in 3 states (Massachusetts, Georgia and South Carolina).

Good clarification. Just an aside I thought was interesting - Titlist Pro 1V balls are made here in the US. If you want to save a little and go for "last years" Pro1V, they are made in overseas.

[donfey]

Originally Posted by tvbound

"Made in America" purchases will only come back in vogue, when people are willing to pay more (often a LOT more) for essentially the same products. It's simply common sense, that if you're paying employees more - then the cost of the goods or services will most likely be more. In essence, we have only ourselves to blame for the amount of foreign made services/goods, when we prioritize price. The ultimate irony being, that those foreign countries making so many of our products are simply trying to follow the old American model - of creating a burgeoning middle class/strong economy.

Absolutely true. WE, The People, have to LOOK for American products, perhaps do a bit of research, and ask retailers to display and sell "Made in America" products.

Cost more? Of course. So the question becomes "how important is it, TO YOU?"

[rwfisher1969]

Here, Made In America Store

[jdulej]

Originally Posted by donfey

Absolutely true. WE, The People, have to LOOK for American products, perhaps do a bit of research, and ask retailers to display and sell "Made in America" products.

Cost more? Of course. So the question becomes "how important is it, TO YOU?"

A while back, I found myself in need of a new set of drill bits. Off to Home Depot, Lowes, Ace - all made in Chine. On to the internet. First hit was a company in Chicago that made the bits here in the US - but they were bought by a huge Chinese conglomerate, so scratch them off the list. Finally hit on Champion Cutting Tools. US owned company, work done in the US. I don't know where they get their steel, but I am betting they go for quality over price at least. The interesting thing is that they really were not much more than what I would have paid at Lowes or the other stores, if they stocked them - I ended up using Amazon.

[wdst1]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

Do we make anything in America anymore? Seems like everything is made in other countries.

Americans are hypocrites. They say they want to buy American but when it comes down to dollars and cents, they run to Walmart to buy the cheap jeans at $30 v/s the American jeans that sell for $75+. That’s why Walmart does so well, American hypocrites.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Originally Posted by rpcurt

Boeing is the largest US manufacturing exporter. We also, thanks to Pres Trump, have become the world's largest producer of oil and gas, which we export.
True, we lost hundreds of manufacturers during the Obama years...recall Obama saying 'manufacturing will never return to the US'.
Intellectual property is a huge product for the US.
But here is a crazy example: golf balls. COSTCO makes its Kirkland golf balls in China. Why? Making golf balls is not a labor-intensive process, but somehow it makes economic sense for COSTCO to make them in China and pay to ship them to the US. The raw materials cost the same in US, manufacturing machines cost the same, labor costs are low.
So what is different? Taxes, regulations (like OSHA, etc.), ease of doing business.

Sorry, Saudi Arabia exports more than double the oil compared to the US. Saying things does not make them true.

[Kenswing]

Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan

Sorry, Saudi Arabia exports more than double the oil compared to the US. Saying things does not make them true.

Didn't you stomp off in a huff a week or so ago because this place was a cesspool? I guess you felt the need to come back and do some more wallowing.

[Geodyssey]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

Do we make anything in America anymore? Seems like everything is made in other countries.

Costly (for some) wars are still made in the USA. It's our bread & butter.

Have you checked your portfolio lately? Military equipment stocks have made a lot of us wealthy.

[GOLFER54]

Just a quick note, recently bought Taylor Golf Clubs, a sticker was attached to one of the clubs which read,
Club head made in Vietnam
Shaft made in Taiwan
Assembled in Mexico
Can you believe this ?

[Two Bills]

Originally Posted by GOLFER54

Just a quick note, recently bought Taylor Golf Clubs, a sticker was attached to one of the clubs which read,
Club head made in Vietnam
Shaft made in Taiwan
Assembled in Mexico
Can you believe this ?

Who made the grips?