OPINION: Democrats Discuss — Restore and reshore American manufacturing

Jordan Horstman is a sophomore studying political science. She is a member of the Ohio University College Democrats. The following article reflects the opinions and views of the author and does not represent the thoughts of the Ohio University College Democrats.

This is a submitted column. Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.

America was once a manufacturing superpower, accruing vast wealth for its citizens by exporting products all over the world. Today, however, manufacturing jobs only make up 11.39% of the nation's economy. 

American leaders have spent a great deal of time and effort trying to create incentives for manufacturing companies to stay in the country, but as many Americans know, too often the U.S. loses out due to the lack of tax and labor laws in many developing countries. This, however, causes sinking productivity. 

One thing America has to offer is its massive infrastructure, which is not available in developing countries. Because they have much more equipment and resources to work with, a single worker in an industrialized country can achieve far more than those in a developing country. 

As far as productivity goes, an industrialized worker can produce far more products than those handcrafting their products. Industrialized workers are able to get a lot more done in a far shorter time than a nonindustrialized worker who does not have access to the same machinery and resources.

As a result of less productivity, labor is not worth as much in developing countries, which is a big factor in the exploitation of workers and low wages. This cycle takes jobs away from industrialized workers and takes advantage of those in the non-industrial world, which causes all manufacturing workers to be worse off. 

It is unfortunate that many workers overseas face poor wages and working conditions, but how does that affect Americans? 

One impact is the national security issue resulting from the loss of jobs. In the past, the U.S. has been able to maintain its global dominance because not only could it almost fully provide for itself in wartime, but it could also provide for its allies. Now that the U.S. does not control all of the manufacturing it once did, it has left itself vulnerable to global issues. 

In recent years, China has enacted a policy called the Belt and Road Initiative. China is now one of the largest sources of trade in the Middle East and is actively providing infrastructures such as pipelines and roads in countries like Kazakhstan and Myanmar. The main goal of this policy is to form a bond between these two regions, to have better access to energy resources — such as oil — and to make the Middle East view China as the path to increased industrialization and more stable economies in the future. 

This strategy has the potential to combine the Middle East and China into a new global superpower, especially given the extent of China's economic growth in recent years. 

The U.S. has no choice but to combat China’s actions by also providing infrastructural aid to these countries. This will have many long-term benefits, such as raising wages overseas, helping improve the quality of life in developing countries overall, and working to preserve the balance of power and security in the world today. 

Whether you see it as a humanitarian issue of helping workers around the globe, or a national security issue to maintain the U.S. status as a world superpower, the U.S. must take action to combat the cycle of manufacturing companies reshoring into developing countries. 

There are many political tensions between countries all over the world, but the urge to modernize keeps countries willing to compromise with one another. COVID-19 may be putting a halt to this attitude, but it is only temporary. 

Every country wants to increase its technology and infrastructure to keep up with globalization, and the U.S. can and must use this to its advantage. The number one solution is to encourage innovation. 

Being the global economic superpower, the U.S. is one of the most equipped countries to build infrastructure for new innovations, which will create new jobs in the country. First, this innovation should focus on aiding the environment, not only because it will stimulate the economy, but also because it will establish the U.S. as a leader in the fight to stop climate change. 

Next, the U.S. should focus on expanding highly skilled jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields such as robotics. Technology is the future, and the only way to keep up with the growth of other countries is to recognize that the demand for highly skilled workers is increasing every year in manufacturing. 

There are many options for the U.S. to choose from, but overall, the most important thing is that the country recognizes the seriousness of this issue and decides to start moving forward to address it.