[econjack]

The protectionism that existed in the 1800's in the US was necessary. Without those protective tariffs, the necessary capital to start industrialization here simply wouldn't have happened, or it would have been delayed; probably until WWI started.

The problem with today's manufacturing sector is essentially the same: The aging capital stock in the US has not been replaced. After WWII, the Japanese and German capital stock was bombed into oblivion. We helped them rebuild. The result: Both countries replaced their factories with totally new technology while the US was using the same plants that existed in the 1890's, especially in steel and other primary inputs.

What Trump needs to do is give US manufacturing an incentive to modernize US manufacturing plants here rather than in other countries. Tariffs and quotas could play a part, but that's "pushing on a string": It relies on foreign manufacturers to accrue the benefit. Trump would get a faster and more direct impact if he lowers taxes on manufacturers who stay in the US, plus some form of tax credit for new investment.

[central_va]

Both have to be done, lowering taxes and regulations and import tariffs. Other wise nothing will change. All the new factories will be built in the third world. Globalist corporation will have to be strong armed into using US labor again. Otherwise the USA will continue to de industrialize and go down the socialist hell hole.

So you are only half right.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Exactly right. End the coordinated assault by big political donors on small-to-medium sized manufacturing businesses and the problem will resolve itself in a decade or less.