Doesn’t the United States make anything anymore?

The Buffalo News ^ | 2/17/2009 | Stephen Manning

[BfloGuy]

The U. S. by far remains the world’s leading manufacturer by value of goods produced. It hit a record $1.6 trillion in 2007 — nearly double the $811 billion in 1987. For every $1 of value produced in China’s factories, America generates $2.50.

[nyconse]

France also makes cars, steel and have such companies as Air bus (subsidized). They see manufacturing as key to the future.

In recent months, the French government has pressed plans to nurture “strategic sectors” by offering a €2 billion aid package for projects including clean cars, new medicines and nanotechnology. In coming weeks, Finance Minister Thierry Breton will get the ball rolling by establishing the agency that will oversee projects lasting several years.

France also plans a clutch of investment funds worth €250 million to nurture start-up companies and encourage them to stay in France rather than seek capital abroad, where foreign firms could pilfer homegrown technologies. French officials say these projects will focus on defense, national security and computing.

A third arm of France’s effort focuses on creating rivals to biotechnology hubs like Cambridge in Britain. The government is running a competition for the most innovative regional and municipal proposals. It must now sort through 105 applications - far more than expected - for a slice of a €750 million pie. Candidates will be short-listed in April and Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin will approve the winners before summer.

[Ron Jeremy]

So, in short, you are a socialist who wants politicians to allocate capital?

[nyconse]

Unlikely...both Dems and GOP are misguided concerning free trade...although, GOP has it hung around their neck...which is why they lost the Mid West in 2008.

[hedgetrimmer]

some 20% of global output.

And yet we have a trade deficit with the communist Chinese and they own our debt! Soon to own commercial and residential real estate! America doesn't belong to Americans anymore, because of the corrupt globalists in our government.

I for one am tired of the globalist 'free traders' complaining about us. We have had just about enough of "free trade" and the looting that it does to our domestic economy.

America does still make something I'll admit. We make transnationalists and globalists rich. Everybody else is screwed.

[nyconse]

I would say you are the socialist because you want to eliminate good jobs which will surely lead to socialism...it always amuses me when those who advocate trade with COMMUNIST CHINA call others socialist...In fact many of the great discoveries of the 20th century were made during government partnership with business ( man on the moon for example)...how can you ask an American company to compete with a subsidized foreign company...really competing with countries...especially with the one sided trade agreements in place.

[hedgetrimmer]

We make more steel than ever

We do? Is that why the largest operating steel plant in the country, in Oregon, is looking for a Russian buyer?

[nyconse]

Also, it sure makes more sense to help fund science and technology and create wealth then make welfare payments to the unemployed which is what is happening under your free trade nonsense.

[nyconse]

We do not make more steel then ever...free trade has destroyed an entire region...the Mid West. If the Dems ever get smart and advocate American first...the GOP is doomed.

[RKV]

Well, yhe Japanese lesson I had in mind was that manufacturing was good, that’s all.

[hedgetrimmer]

you want to eliminate good jobs which will surely lead to socialism

Of course socialism is the end game of "free trade". It was the stated goal of the Manchester school and other socialist schools of thought in Britain, and anyone telling you otherwise is lying.

They knew if you put domestic producers and laborers out of business in favor of global 'low cost' trade, that the now out of work workers would be easy to convert to socialism. We have seen this method demonstrated in Britain, big time, and every free thinking person mourns the loss of that country to socialism, except the Saudis, who are using the domestic disruption socialism causes to their advantage.

[thefrankbaum]

Your whole post talks about government intervention in the market. Please stop calling others socialist.

France also makes cars, steel and have such companies as Air bus (subsidized). They see manufacturing as key to the future.

We make cars - GM, Ford, and Chrysler aren't going away, plus foreign companies are still building car plants IN THE US.
We make steel - as said above by another poster, our steel output is higher than it has ever been.
We make aircraft - Boeing, Lockheed, Cessna, Lear, etc.

In recent months, the French government has pressed plans to nurture “strategic sectors” by offering a €2 billion aid package for projects including clean cars, new medicines and nanotechnology. In coming weeks, Finance Minister Thierry Breton will get the ball rolling by establishing the agency that will oversee projects lasting several years.

This is different from our auto bailout...how?

France also plans a clutch of investment funds worth €250 million to nurture start-up companies and encourage them to stay in France rather than seek capital abroad, where foreign firms could pilfer homegrown technologies. French officials say these projects will focus on defense, national security and computing.

You clearly don't know about the Small Business Administrations and the loan packages they offer.

A third arm of France’s effort focuses on creating rivals to biotechnology hubs like Cambridge in Britain. The government is running a competition for the most innovative regional and municipal proposals. It must now sort through 105 applications - far more than expected - for a slice of a €750 million pie. Candidates will be short-listed in April and Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin will approve the winners before summer.

And what are our pharma-companies doing?

[Dat]

Your problem isn’t with free trade, it’s with freedom.

[nyconse]

Free trade does not equal freedom...it is based on slavery in many cases...child labor also...I do not consider it ‘free’ to trade with communist countries...it’s a form of national suicide.

[nyconse]

They are protecting their industries and trying to get more industry...government used to regularly invest in science and technology...space, computers all of these things began as government programs...we have to bring back industry.

[nyconse]

The big three are on the ropes and may not survive. They need more money and who knows if they will get it...another industry destroyed by trade and stupid government regulation (cafe). My husband works for GM and will probably be laid off in April.

[nyconse]

I don’t believe it...so yes I have a problem with this idea...just like the ‘good jobs’ would remain until they went overseas and the ones that were left H1B visa holders started taking...free trade is BS and is destroying this country.

[nyconse]

Yeah they did...and agriculture too.

[nyconse]

Japan makes much of this equipment these days.

[jveritas]

Yes we are the world largest manufacturing economy, the world largest industrial economy, the world largest financial economy, the world largest agricultural economy. Simply put we are the world largest most advanced economy and by far when compared to any individual country in the world. The US economy is by itself 25% of the world total GDP and we are only 5% of the world population. Never before in history of mankind one nation has such incredible economic, technological, scientific, and military power as the United States of America.

God bless America.

[nyconse]

If you understood manufacturing which few do...you would understand that retail (the end product of manufacturing) has the least profit of the entire manufacturing process...when you buy your jeans...you enrich China who has the more profitable parts of manufacturing. The store makes little money-very narrow margin. We could make lots of money for the US, employ people, improve GDP and trade imbalance and quit giving China money for weapons which may one day be used against us or an ally.