I have never understood why ANY nation would not seek to be self-sufficient. Some nations like South Korea and Taiwan, self-sufficiency is an express national goal.
For some it is just not possible. But it should be easy to achieve for a nation like ours, with large amounts of resources, power and labor.
But we decided to become slaves of China. And now we have become a nation full of “homeless,” druggies, crazies, sexual perverts and illegal aliens.
“I have never understood why ANY nation would not seek to be self-sufficient.”
Nations are led by politicians. Self sufficiency takes hard work. Real work. Politicians are lazy and inept.
Simple as that.
Work is what PDJT does.
Simple explanation to your question: People prefer $29 imported gym shoes over $129 US made gym shoes. Patriotism stops at the pocket book! Nike makes all their gym shoes in cheap labor countries.
Historians a hundred years from now will be writing about the GREAT SELL OUT OF US INDUSTRY.
Grandpa and I were discussing that many decades ago.