[Iscool]

As time goes on, they need us less and less. The U.S. is still a major economic power in the world, but the sad truth is that with globalization and rapid development in other countries, our 310+ million people simply aren’t as big a market as we used to be ... in a world of 7-8 billion people.

But isn't 310 million people a big enough market for American manufacturing...

When I walk into a 'dollar' store and look at all that Chinese junk they sell, and realize all that junk used to be made in America by Americans...And it wasn't junk...

In my view all of the 3rd world countries, China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam included should have been left out of the World Trade Organization until they reached a balance with us and our European trading partners...They should have their own Trade Organization where they can play on their level playing field...

[irishMN]

But isn't 310 million people a big enough market for American manufacturing... When I walk into a 'dollar' store and look at all that Chinese junk they sell, and realize all that junk used to be made in America by Americans...And it wasn't junk... In my view all of the 3rd world countries, China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam included should have been left out of the World Trade Organization until they reached a balance with us and our European trading partners...They should have their own Trade Organization where they can play on their level playing field...

I have a 1950's refrigerator, so does my brother. Despite claims to the contrary they use less energy than any newer model because they don't have a fan that continuously runs to eliminate condensation. Sure you have to defrost them once every 6 months but for a 60 year old fridge, now that's American manufacturing!

[Alberta's Child]

It usually doesn't work that way in business. Economies of scale are critical in most manufacturing operations. If you sell a product all over the world, it makes sense to produce it not only in the place where it's cheapest to make it, but in a place where you can ship it easiest to your customer base.

That's why the U.S. is still the dominant manufacturing center for products that are sold mainly here in the U.S. but not in large numbers elsewhere -- like cars (mainly SUVs, which aren't driven in large numbers in other countries), passenger jets, ATVs, etc.