U.S. Manufacturing Stuck at Baseline Amid Chinese Overcapacity and High Interest Rates

Tags Jobs and the U.S. Economy

For Immediate Release: December 6, 2024

Washington, D.C. — U.S. factories gained 22,000 jobs in November, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday, recovering from a loss of 48,000 jobs in October. 

“While manufacturing jobs saw a nice rebound in November, the sector has been treading water for far too long,” Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul said. “China’s industrial overcapacity and global economic weakness are the key external drivers pushing down factory jobs; interest rates that remained persistently high is the key internal driver.”

“Moving forward, the next Congress and administration must complete the impactful investments in new manufacturing and consider support for additional strategic industries. Further tariffs on Chinese and other imports will also be essential, along with a massive overhaul of the USMCA,” Paul said. 

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is scheduled for a joint review in 2026. 

Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul is available for interview.  

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