[Marcus]

With the current events and our trade battle with China, do you think "Made in America" will become a big deal? I have always thought it was stupid to buy oil from people that did not like us while storing vast amounts of oil in our ground. Now we find that most all of our medicine is made in China and India. Now that every one is screaming for medicine, it feels vulnerable to have to order it from overseas. I build all the Thunder Works products available at www.IndianAftermarket.com Some things like bolts come from other countries but most of my materials are made in the US. And of course the parts are molded, machined and assembled here in Georgia, US. I try to keep prices low and since Indian OEM parts are so high I can at least beat them by a good margin. Now I am wondering if there will be a surge in buying US products. I need to raise my prices a little anyway. I don't want to bash anyone. My wife is made in China and I love to visit her family there. It is a beautiful country but the Government is a little rough. So do you guys think we will all be willing to pay higher prices in the future (assuming our economy recovers)? It is nice to get a frying pay at Walmart for $12. Will you pay $50 for your next pan? Will you pay more for bike parts?

By the way, Thank you everyone. My sales are holding steady so far. I guess everyone is at home working on their bikes.

 

[Cheezyrider]

Personally I hold the CCP less accountable for our woes than I do the NWO American admins who sold us out in the first place and the fragments thereof who continue to do so. China only purchased/stole what we sold them or allowed them to steal.. Another point to ponder is the simple fact that Chinese products are everywhere within our supply chain. Just because something has "Made In America" written on it does not mean it is actually made in America.. Matter of fact, as mentioned, it is almost impossible to find a "Made In The U.S.A." finished product that is not particially "Made In China".. That said, now think about this: Pre CCP Virus - We were at a very low <4 percent unemployment rate.. That means that as a country we were almost fully employed.. That full employment figure means that even if we did bring manufacturing back home, we would still be very close to total dependency on China for production of goods just because we simply do not have the workers to fill the jobs even if they did come back.. Personally, in my opinion, the whole plan of Abortion plays into this delima in a very dynamic way..

 

[WillyH]

I pretty much agree with you Cheezy, but .... Even with what was our below 4% unemployment we would easily be able to increase manufacturing here in the US. There are/were people dying (literally) to get into the US. In a perfect world we could properly vet those who wish to immigrate to the US and be productive, and take on additional manufacturing. But letting only productive immigrants into our country would no doubt mean a monumental struggle with the snowflakes, progressives, and socialists in DC.

And I agree with you when you say it's our own fault and or the fault of our politicians as well as some of our businesses, that were allowed to give our manufacturing and intellectual property over to the Chinese government. We are now so dependent on China that many in our government are afraid to pull our manufacturing and medical business out and bring it back here. China seems to have us or think they have us right by our short hairs. And our representatives is DC are too damn cowardly to do much about it.

Rant over and thanks for listening

 

[johnwaz]

I would pay more for something built here. I do think we need to be less dependent on other countries (especially the ones that don't like us). A $12 frying pan at wally world lasts like a $12 frying pan would last. If a $50 frying pan lasts 5 times that long, then it's money well spent. I'm just elaborating on an example given. But, given the current situation in place, bringing the manufacturing of products back here is easier said than done.

 

[high plains rider]

There is a balance in there... I for one and I know others will pay more... but with a caveat that it's not a lot more... as far as bringing MFG. back... well IMO not a problem robots are taking over anyway... and even before this COVID-19 and Trump for that matter... MFG'ers were already coming home.. anything of quality in China and they have about the same labor rates as we do... then you have to throw in shipping... couple that with just in time product and it's a night mare... but in the end you will buy what you buy... the case example is tires for our Bikes... the only made in the USA tire is Dunlop.. how many riders are sticking to Dunlop only because of that?

 

[Dohmer]

The current situation will not change people much . how many of you out there drive a import auto. Not a assembled here auto

 

[Dr.Shifty]

The situation here in Australia is very similar. We've had successive governments over many years slowly sell off our manufacturing industries to have cheaper imports. Some of this process was set out as plans for several years of diminishing import duties which saw larger industries, such as auto makers, wind down to nothing. Other cases, such as textiles and clothing makers, were given the chop in a single wipe-out.

We used to have several car makers here, Holden was originally Australian but bought up by GM many years ago, but Ford, Toyota, and Chrysler / Mitsubishi all had large plants here. Most of the smaller components were made here by small companies, often family owned businesses with 50 to 100 employees. These spread the financial benefit through a wide section of the community. As the car companies withdrew, it was not only their own employees who lost out, but all these small suppliers.

The plan to cut car tariffs etc was put to parliament by Senator John Button back in the 80s. Ironically, what was known as The Button Plan resulted in the whole industry being unbuttoned and stripped naked. He thought the industry would become more competitive and Australians would be better off. What it did was see the whole industry collapse.

One thing that Australia did continue with was V8 motors and I think the Camaro V8 was being made here and shipped to the US for a while. Perhaps it was the Mustang V8, I'm not sure which one.

We had some significant shoe making companies here until 10 or 15 years ago, dress shoes, sports shoes, work boots, biker boots, they've all gone.

The question about whether any industries will return to local manufacturing is a good one, but I can't see it happening here very much. So much of what we buy is part of the throw away lifestyle that our society is almost addicted to replacing stuff, which means it has to be cheap. Although there is a fair bit of 'Buy Australian' advertising here, its not practiced widely through our population.

 

[ScottCFC]

I may be similar in thought to many of you but maybe for a different reason. I think after this COVID 19 is all over we should all support our local community businesses as much as possible and stay away from major corporations who are raking in the profits while the local businesses suffer. I really don't care about the Nationalistic concept of Made in the U.S.A. but I do care about my neighbor and my community. I am a patriot but I don't feel a need to shout "U.S.A." to prove it. I am tired of politicians using people's patriotism to turn a profit for their own pockets, Republicans and Democrats alike. Although we exist in a global community today, we should still exist and invest in our local communities, even if that means a $100 dollar frying pan. Just my two cents.

 

[TigerGA]

Yes, I agree critical supplies, like medicine, need to have a manufacturing footprint within the US. However, the consumer drives “made in the US“ vs “made in China.” For example, a weekend wrencher needs a torque wrench...he can buy one from Lowe’s, made in China for $100, or a Snap-On for $400. Which one is he going to buy?

 

[fast eddie]

You looking for a challenge? Try finding a pair of shoes made in USA. Just bought a pair of SAS shoes. Also have a pair of Thorogood work boots. And Danner law enforcement/biker boots. All made in America!

 

[Mack]

You looking for a challenge? Try finding a pair of shoes made in USA. Just bought a pair of SAS shoes. Also have a pair of Thorogood work boots. And Danner law enforcement/biker boots. All made in America!

Yup! Love my danners and thorogoods!

 

[ScoutyD]

Yeah, it's always the bad politicians. Remember guys, the politicians are only doing what their donors tell them to do. If outsourcing to China or other countries means making more profit, they will do it. Wake up guys, it's everyone's (shareholders) greed for money what makes some a lot richer and a lot poorer. As long as you keep posting that healthcare is a communists invention to screw the US over and that getting a paycheck when you're sick is immoral, nothing will change. Unfortunately the Covid misery will hit the regular US workers and their families much harder than over in Europe. Unemployment is skyrocketing here, while people will stay employed and with healthcare there. Unfortunately this will not be broadcasted on FOX news, so no need to think about it. Some time ago I heard a guy saying on TV: If you make less than 100k per year and you vote Republican, you're probably just plain "not so intelligent". Sorry if I offended somebody, but I'm sure those are no snowflakes and can deal with it. Just my 3 cents... because of inflation...

 

[Medicine Bow]

You looking for a challenge? Try finding a pair of shoes made in USA. Just bought a pair of SAS shoes. Also have a pair of Thorogood work boots. And Danner law enforcement/biker boots. All made in America!

I hear you. I used to seek out made in USA shoes...they're difficult to find. New Balance did make some of their shoes here. Not sure if that's still the case.

I wear Red Wing boots and USA made cowboy boots. At least they're a little easier to find.

 

[VintageJason]

Regarding the pan, I'm a big fan of cast iron and have paid over $50 for two of my best. Regarding paying extra for made in USA... for me it varies. Do I need a top-of-the-line American-made paint brush for $20 or a 30¢ chip brush from harbor freight? As a professional painter, the former; as a weekend warrior, the later.
This is a bit of a side tangent and a bit of simply complaining but I will NEVER understand why people will pay $500 for an air filter/intake. I'll concede $80 for a k&n filter but what is the other $420? For two pieces of metal to hold the filter? I refuse to contribute to this madness. I know there are folks out there that have sunk 35k into their bike valued at half that that will claim the performance gain is worth it. I'm just not buying it - I don't care where it's made.

 

[parider]

this is a topic with a lot of layers. different levels of opinion. its a sad state we are here in the first place, and it started a lot time ago. very hard fix. and it comes down to all point saids. I would def look for and rather buy American made, within reason.
firstly its damn hard to find most things made in America. you would spend more time trying to buy American made small items than its worth. go to any store and look at the back of the package. USA isn't there. jeans, shoes, most things you would look tirelessly for and if u could find it it may not be great. I wear red wings... but no shoe made in America is as comfy as Adidas boosts. and I bet you a Toyota pick up is as much or more made/ assembled in America than my Silverado.
tools ill def pay more for American Made. Chinese tools are sub par. ill buy bounty paper towel, made here in pa. but like @VintageJason said some stuff is just out of hand. I don't like just giving my money away so I can sleep better buying American made for someones American dream ripping me off. Its a complex problem with complex solutions.

 

[Kitulu]

I pretty much agree with you Cheezy, but .... Even with what was our below 4% unemployment we would easily be able to increase manufacturing here in the US. There are/were people dying (literally) to get into the US. In a perfect world we could properly vet those who wish to immigrate to the US and be productive, and take on additional manufacturing. But letting only productive immigrants into our country would no doubt mean a monumental struggle with the snowflakes, progressives, and socialists in DC.

And I agree with you when you say it's our own fault and or the fault of our politicians as well as some of our businesses, that were allowed to give our manufacturing and intellectual property over to the Chinese government. We are now so dependent on China that many in our government are afraid to pull our manufacturing and medical business out and bring it back here. China seems to have us or think they have us right by our short hairs. And our representatives is DC are too damn cowardly to do much about it.

Rant over and thanks for listening

Try talking to a legal immigrant about the illegals. It can be a fairly entertaining and colorful conversation. Fun fact: if you sponsor someone to come to the US, you have to sign a paper stating that they will not become a public trust, i.e. on welfare. You have to provide proof of income. I had to do this a couple of times for my wife, who is from the Philippines. Also, had we gotten divorced prior to her obtaining her citizenship, I could have still been on the hook for her support for the rest of our lives, unless she re-married or obtained citizenship. That is not counting alimony.

You looking for a challenge? Try finding a pair of shoes made in USA. Just bought a pair of SAS shoes. Also have a pair of Thorogood work boots. And Danner law enforcement/biker boots. All made in America!

New Balance is still made in the USA, I think.

Regarding the pan, I'm a big fan of cast iron and have paid over $50 for two of my best. Regarding paying extra for made in USA... for me it varies. Do I need a top-of-the-line American-made paint brush for $20 or a 30¢ chip brush from harbor freight? As a professional painter, the former; as a weekend warrior, the later.
This is a bit of a side tangent and a bit of simply complaining but I will NEVER understand why people will pay $500 for an air filter/intake. I'll concede $80 for a k&n filter but what is the other $420? For two pieces of metal to hold the filter? I refuse to contribute to this madness. I know there are folks out there that have sunk 35k into their bike valued at half that that will claim the performance gain is worth it. I'm just not buying it - I don't care where it's made.

I, too, am a big fan of cast iron. Properly cared for, cast iron cookware can last several lifetimes. The only thing that I cannot do well on it is fried rice. I have a set from Lodge that I bought for my wife for Christmas one year (that I ended up using more), along with some odds and ends that we got from family.

I would like to say that we will see a reckoning after COVID-19 has run its course, but the majority of the American public are too enamored of their cheap goods.

 

[high plains rider]

Yeah, it's always the bad politicians. Remember guys, the politicians are only doing what their donors tell them to do. If outsourcing to China or other countries means making more profit, they will do it. Wake up guys, it's everyone's (shareholders) greed for money what makes some a lot richer and a lot poorer. As long as you keep posting that healthcare is a communists invention to screw the US over and that getting a paycheck when you're sick is immoral, nothing will change. Unfortunately the Covid misery will hit the regular US workers and their families much harder than over in Europe. Unemployment is skyrocketing here, while people will stay employed and with healthcare there. Unfortunately this will not be broadcasted on FOX news, so no need to think about it. Some time ago I heard a guy saying on TV: If you make less than 100k per year and you vote Republican, you're probably just plain "not so intelligent". Sorry if I offended somebody, but I'm sure those are no snowflakes and can deal with it. Just my 3 cents... because of inflation...

boy this post is rich... from the guy that pisses and moans about politics in our off topic forum... and is the first one to throw in politics... ironic

 

[reinie]

Politics aside this is another typical hurry-up and wait situation. Having served in the military it's very familiar to me.

 

[ScoutyD]

boy this post is rich... from the guy that pisses and moans about politics in our off topic forum... and is the first one to throw in politics... ironic

Don't be a snowflake...just kidding...happy riding

 

[ScoutyD]

The current situation will not change people much . how many of you out there drive a import auto. Not a assembled here auto

What would you consider an import? A foreign brand assembled here in the US? A US brand assembled outside the US?