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The supply chain issue is not rocket science we already do that with cars. Rare-earths are not actually rare. The know-how is kind of a problem, but it's real
by sonnyblarney 8y ago
The supply chain issue is not rocket science we already do that with cars.
Rare-earths are not actually rare.
The know-how is kind of a problem, but it's really the cheap labour, the zero rights they have (i.e. work now for 12 hours a day no bathroom break), the externalization of things like pollution etc..
It's possible to move most of that to the US ... but it would be complex and expensive. There's no reason to do it today.
- adamiscool8 8y agoReducing dependency on an exploitative, rights-abusing, polluter nation seems like a good reason to do it today?
- sonnyblarney 8y agoOf course it does, I was being cynical about 'no need'. This is the position of big business and free traders. Trump is right on some level to want to bring some manufacturing home, I just don't think he's smart enough to consider how, what or why.
- addicted 8y agoThe bigger issue for the US is that other countries will also want their shit made in their countries. Apple isn’t worried about shifting manufacturing to the US. Apple is worried that China will want iPhones sold to the Chinese made in China, India will want iPhones sold to Indians made in India, Europe will want iPhones sold to Europeans made in Europe and so on. The problem for the US with these demands is that most countries want to step away from globalization, and the US has been the greatest promoter of it, precisely because it had, has, and likely will continue to be the greatest beneficiary of globalization. Trump doesn’t seem to realize this. Why would a Russian want to pay more money for an iPhone so an American instead of a Chinese could get a job?
- rdlecler1 8y agoChina has been the biggest beneficiary of globalization.