These people are masters of ill-logic. Sure US manufacturing is up over the last 20 years but not enough to cover what American consumers are buying. Otherwise there would be no trade deficit.....
We ran trade surpluses prior to 1982
Also in 1982 we were not relying on energy imports so much
We manufactured so much that was in demand abroad that imports were less. Resulting in trade surpluses which is the best position to be in. The Japs and Koreans always run trade surpluses. same for China. Then you have Canada and Australia that run trade surpluses because they export so much energy and commodities and mined materials. They are raw materials suppliers
Oh, really? Got some proof? Or just "theories with no basis in reality?"