The question is how much of the lower cost of electronics today is due to virtual slave labor costs in China et al and how much is due to improvements in technology and automation or differences in environmental or other regulations on manufacturing.
I am not for regulations but they are really not a huge problem. Lets say a manufactures has to install an air purification system in their factory. Let’s say it cost $1,000,000 to install. Lets’ say they produce 1,000,000 widget per year. That comes out to $1.00 per widget to the consumer if amortized over one year. Most capital expenditures have a 5 year amortization making it now $.20 to the consumer. I personally do not think we should be de industrializing and offshoring over $.20.