You are missing the fact that the US manufacturer is paying more because the US tax system applies sales tax multiple times on inputs as they move through manuf

You are missing the fact that the US manufacturer is paying more because the US tax system applies sales tax multiple times on inputs as they move through manufacturing steps. Raw materials like steel are often exempt even in the US, but many other business expenses are not. This is outdated approach to taxation. The entire world has moved on to VAT, which taxes only the final sale to the consumer. Foreign countries are not being unfair, as it is not their responsibility to manage the US tax system and keep it efficient - that's the job of the US government.