U.S. manufacturing has fallen from 21-25% of GDP in 1950s to about 10% today. The decline is worse than the average of first world developed countries. The result is an unbalanced economy excessively dominated by services and imports.
The U.S. dollar remains at about the same worldwide valuation in our latest quarterly Misalignment Monitor, continuing to create a double-digit import incentive to the great disadvantage of domestic U.S. producers.
Deployments of solar power facilities in the U.S. by utilities, commercial customers,
and residential customers have risen substantially in recent years due to
technological progress, lower costs, and various tax incentives and credits from the
U.S. government.
As the demand for solar energy deployment in the United States continues to grow, foreign firms are reaping nearly all the benefits. Solar imports in 2024 are outpacing total demand and crowding out domestic solar manufacturers.
The CPA Domestic Market Share Index (DMSI) rose slightly in the first quarter of 2024 as domestic manufacturing output edged up and the manufacturing trade deficit contracted slightly.
PVC pipe is critical for U.S. infrastructure, especially as electrical conduit in energy, data centers, and other high-tech sectors. U.S. PVC pipe imports are surging with 2024 import levels over twice as high as 2023 levels.
USD Overvaluation affecting U.S. trade with the world by $364 billion, compared to only a $30 billion effect from current tariffs. Currency misalignment also has a larger effect in more heavily tariffed countries, such as China.
The CPA Domestic Market Share Index (DMSI) rose slightly for both Q4 2023 and the full year last year. The U.S. trade deficit in manufactured goods came in at an alarmingly high $1.07 trillion last year.
The Biden administration’s recently announced proposal to increase the steel and aluminum tariffs on Chinese products from 7.5% to 25% could be a mixed bag.
US productivity growth has underperformed since the year 2000.
Steel imports from Mexico have surged far above historic levels, violating Mexico’s trade agreement with the U.S. and threatening local U.S. economies.
China dominates all phases of global solar energy equipment manufacturing.
