[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Cliff Fr

login?

You do know that during covid China threatened to cutoff our supply of antibiotics right? Now they have built an island in the ocean with a military base in order to claim the waters as their own. They are not exactly our benevolent friend. Do you really think we should continue to rely on them for critical minerals, medicines and parts?

Not sure what your question is about "login?"

I do know that China and others have pointed out several times that the US is dependent on them for antibiotics and other medical supplies. I also know that (so far) China has not acted on that reality.

You make a good point though: We are not exactly on friendly terms even before the tariffs. Do you really think we should further irritate a country we are currently so dependent on?

As far as expansion goes China has nothing on us, they build a little island while we offer to acquire/annex/invade an area roughly the size of Russia.

[phylt]

Originally Posted by skarra

Agreed. This tariff war is plain foolish.

Manufacturing and the IP along with it went out years ago. We all benefited from it and so let’s move on and do what we do best, services.

OK... so let's let SERVICES make our steel, cars, pharmaceuticals, computer chips, etc etc. Our core manufacturing has been so depleted over the decades. If this was not attempted to be reversed and invest in the USA, we would be unable to be independent in case of war or 'producing countries' (CHINA) hold us as a manufacturing hostage, like depending on THEM for COVID medical supplies.

It's IMPERATIVE for our country to be able to manufacture core products.

This exemplifies the issue:

21 Advantages of Manufacturing in the United States

1. Boosts Economic Growth
The economic impact of USA manufacturing is immense. Manufacturing contributes over $2.3 trillion annually to the GDP, making it a cornerstone of economic stability. By supporting local industries, businesses directly enhance economic prosperity and create a ripple effect that benefits other sectors like retail and services.

2. Creates Job Opportunities
Highly well-paid jobs have been created in the USA’s sector as domestic manufacturing benefits, employing around 12.8 million people to impart the unemployment reduction and as well ensuring families’ dwelling on regular incomes, therefore fortifying the macroeconomic system.

3. Ensures Quality Control
American manufactured products have to maintain steadfast oversight in the production, which is intended for quality use as the key output. This is unlike what other foreign firms lack in the market-edge competition.

4. Reduces Lead Times
Manufacturing in the USA advantages include shorter lead times due to proximity. Business will be able to generate better inventory levels that can respond immediately to fluctuations in the market without waiting for the likes of customs lines at the port.

5. Supports Innovation
USA manufacturing benefits from access to advanced technologies like AI, 3D printing, and robotics. Companies like Ford have leveraged these tools to innovate processes, making production faster and more cost-effective while staying ahead in competitive markets.

6. Improves Supply Chain Reliability
Domestic production minimizes risks associated with long and complex supply chains. For instance, during global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, American manufacturers were better positioned to maintain operations and deliver goods on time.

7. Enhances National Security
Producing essential goods locally ensures the country’s security. By manufacturing critical items like medical equipment and semiconductors domestically, the USA reduces dependence on foreign suppliers during emergencies.

8. Promotes Sustainability
The drive to sustain manufactories in the USA is the push towards eco-friendly operations. Such as local production significantly decreases carbon dioxide release encompassing shipping while concurrently encouraging reliance on renewable energy sources.

9. Fosters Community Growth
Manufacturing provides work and helps the local economy, too. For example, towns such as those heavily into manufacturing, such as Michigan’s largest city, Detroit—in its automotive industry—find that, by bringing in much more activity into their local areas, whole sectors have growth in terms of education, healthcare, and transportation, among others.

10. Encourages Ethical Practices
Made in the USA advantages also include compliance with labor laws and ethical sourcing of materials. It ensures that their labor rights are not overlooked and also brings in safe workplace standards and fair wages for the workers. It is unlike most offshore factories due to those practices that evoke many questions.

11. Reduces Trade Deficit
This act leads the very way towards reducing our trade deficit, which originated with offshore manufacturing. Producing jobs and developing the economy in the most intelligent way with this itself by leading out national wealth.

12. Leverages Skilled Workforce
In the USA, almost every worker is extremely talented since they get all the training programs and apprenticeships as well. This is because all required labor skills that are necessary to work with emerging technologies will be possessed by these workers.

13. Facilitates Customization
Domestic manufacturing allows businesses to customize products more easily. For instance, a small apparel brand can quickly tweak designs to meet customer preferences without facing long overseas delays.

14. Drives Technology Adoption
The USA manufacturing industry growth thrives on embracing innovations like the Internet of Things (IoT) and automation. These technologies improve efficiency and reduce costs while increasing output.

15. Strengthens Brand Loyalty
Consumers increasingly prefer products made in the USA due to their quality and ethical production. Brands that highlight their local manufacturing efforts often build stronger connections with their audience.

16. Supports Small Businesses
Local manufacturers partner with small businesses, offering them opportunities to scale production without outsourcing. This collaboration fosters entrepreneurship and innovation.

17. Provides Tax Benefits
USA manufacturing also features both federal and state tax benefits. The majority of states will provide credits for the use of renewable resources, or even pay local workers, and this will reduce production costs.

18. Encourages Resilience
Reshoring manufacturing helps companies withstand global economic uncertainties. By producing locally, businesses avoid disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions or international supply chain breakdowns.

19. Aligns with Consumer Preferences
Ethically sourced goods have become a priority for many modern consumers. For that reason, “Made in the USA” products within the border are appealing to buyers who are conscious of responsible production methods.

20. Increases Export Potential
High-quality American products are sought after worldwide. From machinery to agricultural goods, USA-made items dominate global markets, offering significant export opportunities.

21. Drives Long-Term Savings
Although initial costs may be higher, manufacturing in the USA reduces long-term expenses. Savings from fewer returns, lower shipping costs, and reliable operations outweigh upfront investments.

[CybrSage]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

Well-thought-out tariff policy helping USA domestic production - not!

Airbus laughing all the way to the bank.

Hate makes people short sighted.

[CybrSage]

China will not give India the opportunity to completely replace them in selling medicines to the US.

India has a massive pharmaceutical industry and they could easily ramp up production.

As the saying goes no nation of producers can survive without a nation of consumers while a nation of consumers can survive without the nation of producers.

[CybrSage]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

"take advantage of" == "sell products at prices US consumers want to pay"

"Stop allowing other countries to take advantage of us" ->
"Stop allowing other countries to sell products at prices US consumers want to pay"

Take advantage of means things like putting a value-added tax on everything not produced in their area and then screaming when a tariff of the same amount is placed on their goods.

Tariffs were fine 2 years ago when a different person put them on China but wrong when they're being put on now.

For example, a 200% tariff was put on Chinese aluminum 2 years ago and no American even batted an eye...

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by phylt

OK... so let's let SERVICES make our steel, cars, pharmaceuticals, computer chips, etc etc. Our core manufacturing has been so depleted over the decades. If this was not attempted to be reversed and invest in the USA, we would be unable to be independent in case of war or 'producing countries' (CHINA) hold us as a manufacturing hostage, like depending on THEM for COVID medical supplies.

It's IMPERATIVE for our country to be able to manufacture core products.

This exemplifies the issue:

21 Advantages of Manufacturing in the United States

... Long copy/paste of a sales pitch...

You misunderstand the meaning of "services."

That sales pitch is attempting to convince companies to manufacture within the US and to use the services of a particular consulting company. Like many sales pitches it highlights the positive aspects while minimizing (or neglecting to mention at all) any negative aspects.

As has been pointed out many times in this thread already, there are some significant barriers to moving production into the US including sourcing of materials, establishing supply chains, two to three years to startup, and a higher prices on equivalent products.

Now the US *could* impose high tariffs or outright bans on imports of "critical items" but isn't that what we are currently criticizing other countries for doing? Are we heading towards some Orwellian definition of free-trade?

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by CybrSage

Take advantage of means things like putting a value-added tax on everything not produced in their area and then screaming when a tariff of the same amount is placed on their goods.

Tariffs were fine 2 years ago when a different person put them on China but wrong when they're being put on now.

For example, a 200% tariff was put on Chinese aluminum 2 years ago and no American even batted an eye...

Was that the 200% tariff on Russian steel and aluminum that was expanded to cover steel and aluminum shipped through third parties like China and Mexico?

Likely no eye batting because it was focused on Russian material in response to their invasion of Ukraine.

[Joe Mack]

I'm a bit surprised that so many experts in international affairs, economics and negotiation tactics reside in our community. Perhaps the President should open an advisory office here in the Villages.

[Rickanvic]

Originally Posted by Ralph Cramdon

It’s fascinating how often people blame China for the loss of U.S. jobs, rather than the companies that chose to move operations there in pursuit of higher profits.

Like the people who blame the villages for buying up all the land, instead of the people selling the land.

[Lottoguy]

Say goodbye to more then just Dollar Stores. All those nice little shops like the one about to open in Eastport will close up. BTW Walmart gets 80% of their inventory from China.

[phylt]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

You misunderstand the meaning of "services."

What??? There is a CLEAR LINE between SERVICES and MANUFACTURING.

I do not understand the argument.

?????

It IS NOT TOO LATE to attempt restoration of much of the manufacturing that was transferred off shore over the last decades. If THAT'S the argument, it's a short-sighted loser...The USA MUST restore some important Manufacturing!!!!

[Lottoguy]

For 50 years the USA has had a negative trade balance. In that time our economy has grown 350%. This is a fact and not fake news.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by phylt

OK... so let's let SERVICES make our steel, cars, pharmaceuticals, computer chips, etc etc. Our core manufacturing has been so depleted over the decades. If this was not attempted to be reversed and invest in the USA, we would be unable to be independent in case of war or 'producing countries' (CHINA) hold us as a manufacturing hostage, like depending on THEM for COVID medical supplies.

It's IMPERATIVE for our country to be able to manufacture core products.

This exemplifies the issue:

21 Advantages of Manufacturing in the United States

1. Boosts Economic Growth

2. Creates Job Opportunities


3. Ensures Quality Control

4. Reduces Lead Times

5. Supports Innovation

6. Improves Supply Chain Reliability

7. Enhances National Security
Producing essential goods locally ensures the country’s security. By manufacturing critical items like medical equipment and

8. Promotes Sustainability

9. Fosters Community Growth

10. Encourages Ethical Practices

11. Reduces Trade Deficit

12. Leverages Skilled Workforce

13. Facilitates Customization

14. Drives Technology Adoption

15. Strengthens Brand Loyalty

16. Supports Small Businesses

17. Provides Tax Benefits

18. Encourages Resilience

19. Aligns with Consumer Preferences

20. Increases Export Potential

21. Drives Long-Term Savings

Although initial costs may be higher, manufacturing in the USA reduces long-term expenses. Savings from fewer returns, lower shipping costs, and reliable operations outweigh upfront investments.

The above was cut & pasted (without attribution) from an advertising site that promotes their Online Marketplace.

Hardly credible information.

21 Benefits Of USA Manufacturing | Maker's Row

Maker's Row - Wikipedia

[Johnsocat]

Originally Posted by BillyGrown

Oh boy, more defense spending

National Security is important, and in my opinion a good (and Constitutional) use of our tax dollars.

Freedom is not free. It costs both treasure and blood sacrifices.

[Aviator1211]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

Well-thought-out tariff policy helping USA domestic production - not!

Airbus laughing all the way to the bank.

The reality is simple: the chineese and other countries are using the trade deficit to purchase controlling interests of US land, business, and our governmemnt (via our national debt). The horrible trade and fiscal policies of the last 40 years will be very painful to correct, but absolutely must be corrected.

The big question is, does the US population have the stomach to make the changes, or will we just continue to kick the can down the road until we reach the ciff at the end?

I suspect the answer to that depends on how much you care for your grandchildren.