Put Some 'Real Teeth behind Made in America Policy' Says Industry Group
The Alliance for American Manufacturing had some pretty strong words for the U.S. government following August's bleak job report.
Executive Director Scott Paul released this statement.
"The August unemployment report revealed the first decline in manufacturing employment since December of last year. With 27,000 jobs lost in manufacturing, it's clear that we need new measures to jumpstart the engine of our economy. Investing in infrastructure and providing additional tax relief for American producers should be at the top of the Congressional agenda, along with a long-overdue reckoning with China on its currency manipulation. Together, these measures will create good jobs, bring down unemployment, and build a solid foundation for our economy.
"Congress and the Administration should avoid gimmicks like rebate checks for taxpayers that will likely result in increased purchases of imported consumer goods. If Congress and the Administration push forward with a permanent research and development tax credit, it should be enhanced for any increased domestic production that results from such research.
"Overall, the job market and growth numbers are anemic. Any good news has been washed away by our trade deficit, which is on the rise again. Unless we rebalance our trade relationship with China and put some real teeth behind "Made in America" efforts, our economy will never truly get back on track."
The Alliance for American Manufacturing is a non-partisan, non-profit partnership forged to strengthen manufacturing in the U.S. Its partners include Leo Gerard, President, United Steelworkers, Patrick Hassey, CEO, Allegheny Technologies and John Surma, CEO, United States Steel Corp.
