Why can't American make anything for ourselves anymore?

Question

At one time, weren't we a country that could actually make things?

Didn't we use to make stuff ourselves and still be able to buy the things we bought?

Answer 1

We still do know how to make things, but unfortunately deregulation and free trade agreements have allowed corporations to hire people in third world countries to do our jobs for far lower pay. That's progress for ya.

Edit~

Cherly A. Do you really think we overpriced ourselves? How little do you think you hard work is worth? Less than $5.15hr???

Answer 2

It is generally less expensive to manufacture good abroad. Typically, the design work (which is where the real value is) is done in the States. This is a win-win situation. But there is still manufacture done in the States; if you buy a Toyota, it is more likely to be made in the US than in Japan.

Answer 3

There's still quite a bit of manufacturing in the US, but it's either in highly technical areas or areas where the cost of shipping heavy items (like cars) makes up for the high cost of labor. There's no lack of ability in the US, it's just that the cost of labor is so high. The highest profit margin in selling most products is up front, in the design and engineering, or at the end, in the marketing and sales. Manufacturing is realatively low-profit, and it's no great loss to the US economy to outsource this portion.

Answer 4

I dont know but we are giving away money to China which they invest in research. My money says that in the next thirty years China will try to get us out of the Middle East so they can claim the oil for themselves. We won't there fighting anymore but we will trade with the Middle East

Answer 5

The reason Americans don't manufacture very much stuff any longer is not that they can't. Just that most companies worship the great God $$$$. and things can be made much cheaper elsewhere.

Answer 6

Buy New Balance sneakers. Model 644

Made in America.

Answer 7

Americans make plenty of Hondas, Toyotas, and Mercedes right here in the USA.

Answer 8

America still makes things. But it does it with much fewer people that in the past.

And America makes things that are valuable.Think of aerospace and pharmaceuticals and medical systems and network communications systems.

Answer 9

We overpriced ourselves. With powerful unions and highly paid workers, goods can be made much more cheaply elsewhere. And even though we may be highly paid workers, we don't want to pay those kinds of prices for the goods we buy . . . so we all go to Wal-Mart to buy cheap stuff made in India, Zimbabwe and Paraguay. So, in effect, our demand for ever cheaper products forced manufacturing companies to move out!

Answer 10

Well how can we for gods sake? All the jobs have exported to China, India, Taiwan, Pakistan, Mexico and god knows where else.