In March, AAM Executive Director Scott Paul spoke at a conference of the American Mold Builders Association (AMBA).  Claire Goldsberry of Plastics Today outlined Paul's speech in "Eight steps to succeed in American Manufacturing": 1. A manufacturing policy of reciprocal trade agreements—the Golden Rule of Trade. “We’ve given up our market access,” Paul said. 2. Exchange rates need to be addressed. Pegging the yuan to the dollar gives China a 40% advantage, but it’s the Wall Street lobby that controls the policy on this. “Either impose tariffs or stop pegging the yuan to the dollar,” said Paul. “This would create 2 million jobs and cost the government nothing.” 3. Taxes need to be revised to incent companies to expand businesses here. “Our tax policy drives production offshore,” said Paul. “A system that screws people who want to produce here and gives incentives to companies that go offshore” does nothing to create jobs. “Simple tax reforms are needed to make it advantageous to manufacturers here to hire more workers.” 4. Financing for manufacturers. Paul proposes that the government repurpose the TARP money to go to small banks that lend to small manufacturers, or to a manufacturing loan group that gives small manufacturers money they need to run their businesses. 5. Skills and training. There will be a lot of turnover during the next decade as many of the older workers retire, and there will be a problem hiring skilled workers. Many young people are getting no training because the push is to get everyone into a four-year college. “That’s not what we need,” said Paul. 6. A “Buy American” policy for the federal government. “We need this,” stated Paul. “All our trading partners have this—Japan has a Buy Japan policy, as does Germany and many others.” 7. Connect R&D to manufacturing. The idea that U.S. workers will perform R&D and products will be made in China is of no benefit to the American economy. “Give big tax credits to commercialize products here,” Paul suggested. “We’ve basically handed the keys to the manufacturing plant to the Chinese. We’ve busted the myth that we can innovate here and manufacture it in China and have a strong economy. All good jobs are with manufacturing.” 8. Climate and clean air. “If [a policy or agreement] doesn’t include China and India, we’re digging our own grave for manufacturing in this country,” stated Paul. “China’s carbon footprint is three times larger than ours. If we export manufacturing to China and India, we’re contributing to a larger carbon footprint globally.” Read more here.