450,000 people make the iPhone in Shenzhen, China. This does not include the parts that Foxconn itself can’t make. Although the 450k number is from a couple of

450,000 people make the iPhone in Shenzhen, China. This does not include the parts that Foxconn itself can’t make. Although the 450k number is from a couple of years ago, it could conceivably be less now due to robotics and automation. Then you have everything else made in Shenzhen, so we are talking millions more jobs. The US imports 86% of its goods, or about $2 trillion every year. We’re the LARGEST IMPORTER in the world. The fact that companies in other countries can treat their workers terribly is the real reason jobs won’t comeback (along with the fact that we’re missing about 30 years worth of manufacturing know-how and capabilities). Joseph Stiglitz, economic advisor to Hillary Clinton, made a great sort of anti-free trade proposal in his book “Rewriting the Rules”. His plan was to block or highly tariff imports for every country that won’t adhere to strict worker safety and benefits reforms. That is a great solution which offers rewards to the left and right and should be looked more into.