How important is “Made in the USA” right now?

OU812

Looking at the trade war that’s rising, it appears to me that while the products made in the USA would not necessarially be less expensive, they have an advantage over imported ones with Trump, nationalism etc.

I can see companies gradually moving back to the US and even others who’d have manufacturing outside of the company - solely Chinese companies etc, setting up shop in the US.

I think going forward, the brand/logo “Made in the USA” is probably going to vital to companies who want to do business in the US. Thoughts?

theoneeyedman

OU812 wrote: »

Looking at the trade war that’s rising, it appears to me that while the products made in the USA would not necessarially be less expensive, they have an advantage over imported ones with Trump, nationalism etc.

I can see companies gradually moving back to the US and even others who’d have manufacturing outside of the company - solely Chinese companies etc, setting up shop in the US.

I think going forward, the brand/logo “Made in the USA” is probably going to vital to companies who want to do business in the US. Thoughts?

In my experience in industry, the 'Proudly Made in the USA' logo was usually a sign equipment was a piece of sh1t

OU812

I’d disagree with that. Many great products proudly made in the USA are superior to their counterparts made in places like Turkey, India or China

Hazys

I was trying to think what products i own that i care are "Made In America". The only product I could care about are Allen Edmonds shoes. I like to spend a little bit more money on quality shoes as they last a lot longer and are better value. Other than a handful niche products, I'm buying the cheapest product within reason and i couldn't give two fecks where it came from.

I think its so dumb that Americans want to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US. One, they're are not going to be able to compete on price with products produced in 3rd world countries (even if you tax imports) and two, who in the US wants a manufacturing job with manufacturing wages, when the ecomony is going to surpass those wages? The US should be emphasizing growing the Service industry and making college more affordable.

coylemj

Hazys wrote: »

..... who in the US wants a manufacturing job with manufacturing wages, when the ecomony is going to surpass those wages?

The economy might be rising at a faster rate than manufacturing wages, that doesn't mean that everyone benefits. If you're thinking along the lines of 'a rising tide lifts all boats' then you'd better think again. This is the US we're talking about, not some socialist utopia.

It's not the wages in US manufacturing that's the problem, it's the lack of manufacturing jobs over there and the consequent movement of labour to low-skilled and low-paid work in dead-end jobs in retail, hospitality and service industries.

Hazys

coylemj wrote: »

The economy might be rising at a faster rate than manufacturing wages, that doesn't mean that everyone benefits. If you're thinking along the lines of 'a rising tide lifts all boats' then you'd better think again. This is the US we're talking about, not some socialist utopia.

It's not the wages in US manufacturing that's the problem, it's the lack of manufacturing jobs over there and the consequent movement of labour to low-skilled and low-paid work in dead-end jobs in retail, hospitality and service industries.

But the reason there are few manufacturing jobs is because of the wages American workers would command. Even China is struggling to keep clothing manufacturers in the country. As China's economy grows so does the cost of living and wages and in turn, clothing manufactures are leaving to go to cheaper countries like Vietnam.

If you want the economy to grow, it will always be at the expense of lower skilled jobs. That's why there should be an emphases put on making education more affordable and accessible. Obviously its not a going to be easy and there will be short term issues as you can't tell a coal miner whose been working in the mines for 20 years that they need to be a Software Engineer now but maybe you can tell their kids. Telling people you are fighting to save manufacturing jobs so you they vote for you knowing full well they are fcuked in the long term is bollox.