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.

[jveritas]

Because an advanced economy does not work as you are proposing. We have 7% unemployment rate if you put all these people at work in manufacturing we still cannot satisfy our demands.

[thefrankbaum]

You're right - I asked about French industry. Your information indicates that they require state intervention to stay afloat. How is that not socialism? You are calling people who believe in free trade socialists. I am just pointing out that your method leads to the same result.

[nyconse]

OK...here is Germany in terms of exports...happy?

“In 2007, Germany exported products worth 969.7 billion euro. Cars and car parts are Germany’s most important export good (18.7%), followed by machines (14.3%) and chemical products (13.2%).”

Some others I found important (figures in billion euros):

- agricultural products 6,047
- food and drinks 34,957
- textiles 11,703
- clothes (ready to wear) 9,948
- paper 18,166
- metal and metal products (other than cars and machinery) 94,483
- electronics, including telecommunications and medical devices 76,795
Source(s):
Statistisches Bundesamt (Federal Agency for Statistics)
http://www.destatis.de/jetspeed/portal/c

[jveritas]

Smearing people and making false accusations like free traders=free traitors is insanity and absolute lie.

[nyconse]

All industry in this global era requires a partnership with business...it won’t work any other way...Most countries we compete with are socialist...this is reality...It’s not 1980 anymore.

[nyconse]

This is my opinion... I think free traders are selling out their country for the almighty ‘yuan’. It was not personally directed towards you however.

[jveritas]

Germany does not consume even 20% of what we consume so we consume more in our manufactured products and we still need more to import.

[nyconse]

I certainly did not mean to insult you.

[nyconse]

Germany exports more than we do...they are a pretty large economy.

[thefrankbaum]

All industry in this global era requires a partnership with business

What?

Most countries we compete with are socialist...this is reality...It’s not 1980 anymore.

So we should just throw in the towel and nationalize industry?

[nyconse]

Manufacturing jobs create about five jobs outside of manufacturing for one manufacturing job. This would certainly help with unemployment. Take Sirius radio for example...they are in trouble partly because of the car situation...Sirius radio comes with many new cars. Tech makes many of the chips used in modern cars. Parts suppliers play a role. People who have decent jobs buy things from retail and eat at restaurants...it’s all linked...making things produces wealth...consumption type economies don’t create wealth.

[jveritas]

Because Germans do not consume as much so they can export more. For example they do not possess as many cars per capita as we do. Germany is only 1/5 the size of our economy. They are big but nothing compared to us.

[nyconse]

No...we should invest in technology as we once did to put a man on the moon, computers etc. For example, the Japanese invested in the hybrid battery technology for hybrids...the autos could not afford to do this. It helped their industry and is certainly not nationalization.

[nyconse]

They are more successful than us in terms of manufacturing and will be able to pull out of the slump more easily.

[nyconse]

We will not remain an economic power if we continue...despite what you say...we do not manufacture enough to create prosperity.

[nyconse]

Most of what we consume is imports these days...so how does this effect our exports such as they are?

[nyconse]

I like your handle...truth...not being sarcastic!

[Mad Dawgg]

"France also makes cars..."

You want the US to emulate France Manufacturing/Employment Plan?

Well if you ever had any economic credibility you just kissed it bye forever!

[Nik Naym]

Here is one that surprised the heck out of me: I have a car that was made in Hiroshima. I was poking around its innards one evening and clearly stamped on the amplifier for the radio was the following :

"Made in USA".

[nyconse]

We are all overpaid in America...unless of course you are a Wall street banker...those poor guys are having to fight for their bonuses...don’t you know...they won’t work for salaries like the rest of us...no, they must have incentives...in order to do their jobs.