By Kathryn Casteel
Developed countries all over the world have transitioned away from production and manufacturing for decades. The U.S. in particular shed over 5 million jobs in the manufacturing sector since the turn of the century as a result of various trade policies and advancement in technology.
The nostalgia of a once thriving industry haunts present day policy makers. Presidential candidates, both Democrat and Republican, have announced plans and promises to bring manufacturing jobs back to American soil.
Some economists and policy experts argue the investment in manufacturing isn’t worth the effort, while others praise it.
But what exactly contributed to the decline in the U.S. get here and what are the options going forward?