One U.S. Factory Goes Global, While Trump Shrinks the World
“We strongly support President Trump’s intention to reopen Nafta, and agree
that it can be updated and improved to significantly enhance U. S. textile production, exports and employment,” Auggie Tantillo, president of the National Council of Textile Organizations, an industry trade group, said in written remarks submitted to a congressional panel in June.
“Altering Nafta could fundamentally change the production of the economy — for the U. S., as well as for Mexico — and
that will be very disruptive,” said Swati Dhingra, an economist at the London School of Economics.
“Many of the policies being proposed could end up hurting the people who are being left behind.”
Big Ass Fans could wind up paying more for motors it imports from Mexico.
“If we get into a trade war, that could significantly impact our U. S. production,”
said Paul Lauritzen, the company’s vice president for manufacturing.
“It just seems like the Trump guys are so focused on meeting campaign promises
that they have failed to understand the reality of manufacturing and the global supply chain.”
In the world economy as depicted by President Trump, a product made in Mexico and sold on American shelves represents a theft.
Still, Mr. Tantillo argued against reinstating tariffs, while cautioning
that the renegotiation must not disrupt “the high level of supply chain integration that exists today.”
Trade has contributed to economic growth, but changing dynamics have also prompted concerns about lost jobs and the trade deficit.