U.S. Treasury Secretary’s Jobs Claim Under Fire as Study Points to Automation 
A bombshell report by the Civitas Institute is shaking up the debate over U.S.-China trade, arguing that claims of massive American job losses due to Chinese imports are 'wildly exaggerated.' The study dismantles U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s assertion that 3.7 million jobs vanished, calling it a 'hyperbolic math fail' that ignores decades of economic evolution.
The ‘China Shock’ vs. the Robot Invasion 
The report reveals U.S. manufacturing employment has been sliding since before WWI, long before China became a trade heavyweight. Surprise twist? Automation and rising productivity—not just imports—are starring villains here. From 2001-2024, U.S. factories lost 3.6 million jobs but boosted output by $800 billion. That’s like replacing half the workforce with machines that work 93% faster!
From Factory Floors to Office Doors 
While manufacturing jobs dipped, professional roles exploded—from 18% of workers in 1960 to 32% by 2008. 'This isn’t collapse, it’s evolution,' argues economist Steve Rose. Think of it as America’s job market doing the 'Barbie' transition—out of overalls, into power suits.
Global Takeaway: Policy Needs a Reboot 
The study urges leaders to stop blaming trade boogeymen and instead help workers adapt to tech-driven changes. After all, when’s the last time a robot paid union dues?
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Report debunks U.S. Treasury chief's claim on China trade job losses
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