Manufacturing Trade

Reports of the death of U.S. manufacturing have been greatly exaggerated. By historic standards and relative to other countries’ manufacturing sectors, U.S. manufacturing is firing on all cylinders. But that could change if policymakers keep trying to fix what ain’t broke. Spreading myths about the precariousness of U.S. manufacturing and laying the blame on trade policy may score political points with the unions. But if Congress passes legislation that compromises the access of U.S. producers to international markets, there will be real problems to solve.