Look I’m not doubting you, but I’m not saying your figures are right either.
We have become almost a relic, in just a few short years. We used to sell, design and manufacture almost everything in the world.
Now we buy (import) a bunch of stuff.
That happened because we stopped selling things, and buy, and buy, and buy.
That will not continue. We are 15 trillion in debt, and that increases by the day.
We need to start making things here, stop spending money we do not have, and get our house in order.
Now. Sorry but it’s true.
We need to sell stuff.
True enough but the rest of the world, Europe, China and India in particular, need to sell stuff too for the same reason. Free trade, to the extent that is actually achievable, is still better than any other scheme. History tells us so.
If you actually think that we import too much "stuff" then, as a loyal American, you need to do your part and stop shopping at Walmart, Target, Fry's, Penny's, Nordstroms ... (Just kidding.)
I'm pretty sure that the manufacturing data is pretty close to the truth. Remember, we are buying plastic toys and clothing from the Chinese and selling them Boeing 747's. Don't make the mistake of equating both sides of that transaction. If I recall correctly, the last time I looked the productivity of a U.S. worker is something like 20x that of the corresponding Chinese. If not 20x it is still a very large ratio. The Chinese will not be able to match U.S. manufacturing productivity for many decades if ever.
No; it became CHEAPER to buy from overseas.
A loooooong time ago, I purchased a Nikon camera thru the PX while in the service; near the end of my 4 years enlistment.
It did not come until AFTER I had been discharged and was back home.
I almost did NOT get it from the Post Office because I had not paid the TARIFF on it (established to 'protect' our manufacturers of cameras).
I had to prove I purchased it thru the system overseas that did NOT require the tariff.
It is the QUALITY of the overseas stuff that FORCED our country to improve OUR stuff, since they could be slack and make chintzier equiptment; knowing that most folks look at price; NOT quality!
You get what you pay for STILL is a good, old adage!
Oh yeah...
The 'tariff' was about $500 at the time - in 1964 dollars!