Former machinist here, not sure if this is on raw material or finished products, but it was definitely a problem in the industry that customers could buy a half as good version of our product for a fraction of the price out of China. Even the shipping time was negligible bc they would crank these parts out so fucking quick, quality control be damned.
It’d be nice if this was framed as an effort to curb or hopefully stop China’s aid to Russia in their Ukraine war effort. Otherwise it’s shortsighted as they’re still our largest trading partner. Thanks to US Corporate efforts to get cheap raw materials, avoid taxation, avoid OSHA safety protocols, and avoid US Union labor.
Correct, but if you factor in manufacturing, China is still ahead. A lot of stuff is “Assembled” in Mexico and the US but the assembly still often originates in China.
EDIT: To clarify. Components are manufactured in China and then shipped to NAFTA Countries for final assembly and QC
Thanks to US Corporate efforts to get cheap raw materials, avoid taxation, avoid OSHA safety protocols, and avoid US Union labor.
The high tariffs on imports help address all of those. I really have mixed thoughts on tariffs but allowing everything to go to a low cost foreign provider hasn’t been healthy for any American industry. Steel, Textiles, Chip Manufacturing, Technology, and a whole lot more have been damaged to the point of national security concern by rampant and unchecked outsourcing.