In a recent Fox News op-ed, Peter Morici, a professor at the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and former chief economist at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) says that “President Obama and his Republican challengers don’t agree about much, but they do agree that manufacturing matters”--and rightfully so. As he explains, “America’s economy can’t be turned around, and middle class prosperity can't be saved, without it.”

Morici cites the mounting U.S. trade deficit along with illegal trade practices on the part of countries like China as major roadblocks to a thriving industrial base.  Morici says lost manufacturing also means lost innovation:

“Without manufacturing, much of the innovation in services would not happen. For example, were Intel and IBM not U.S.-based companies, it is highly doubtful that Apple, Microsoft and business solutions software companies—who do the lion's share of R&D in the services sector—would be American-based firms today.

America’s principal rivals, the governments of China, Germany and Japan have long recognized these facts, and managed their currencies, tax structures and business incentives to ensure competitive manufacturing sectors.”

The message that "manufacturing matters" is clearly resonating with voters, and will undoubtedly continue to be a hot topic during this election cycle. Let’s hope that whoever wins the presidency will make a concerted effort to improve American manufacturing once in office. American companies and their workers are waiting.

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