It’s not just manufacturing gone overseas

[FreeJoe]

11. I expect US manufacturing to increase during the next decade

Two factors will play into that. First, with the dramatic decrease in the price of natural gas, both energy and chemical feedstock prices will be relatively lower in the US than in the last decade. Second, manufacturing is becoming increasingly automated. That will make capital costs more important than labor costs, which should favor the US. The sad thing is that it won't help labor much because there will not be many new jobs for unskilled or semi-skilled factory workers.

Both automation and outsourcing are double edged swords. They lower the cost of goods, which benefits everyone. They also lower the demand for domestic employment, which hurts people selling their labor. I don't see a simple answer. Banning outsouring won't help. Production will move to the most cost efficient markets anyway.