> Which is why all US military clothing is mandated to be domestically produced (Berry Amendment).
Cool.
> But how much industrial capacity do you want to take up making clothing?
I actually want the market to decide that. But that is fundamentally what we do not have. It has been more or less the result of conscious trade policy (by all governments involved) to incentivize production in other countries.
> I actually want the market to decide that. But that is fundamentally what we do not have. It has been more or less the result of conscious trade policy (by all governments involved) to incentivize production in other countries.
But that is The Market™ deciding that.
The American (and other) consumer wants cheap(er) stuff. The way to get that, while also allowing companies to have a profit margin, is to lower input costs—one of which is labour. So the consideration of desired low retail prices and margins have The Market deciding to move production to lower-wage areas.
And "lower" wage is relative: it is lower than what Americans/whomever would perhaps be willing to work for, but the wages may be pretty good for the location where the work is being done.
If you personally are willing to pay more for (perceived?) "quality" of 'Made in the USA' (or wherever), then there may be market for products in that market segment. But not everyone may want, or have the resources, to partake in that higher-price segment. Why should they have to pay more? One can buy a DeWalt or Ryobi or Harbor Freight drill: why should be forced to by DeWalt prices if all they need/want is HF?
Cool.
> But how much industrial capacity do you want to take up making clothing?
I actually want the market to decide that. But that is fundamentally what we do not have. It has been more or less the result of conscious trade policy (by all governments involved) to incentivize production in other countries.