The U.S. manufacturing sector’s decline isn’t just about automation or overseas competition—it’s a story of lost vision and policy missteps, argues analyst William Jones. While tariffs and trade wars dominate headlines, Jones pins the roots of America’s industrial slide to a pivotal moment: the post-Kennedy era.
Remember JFK’s moonshot? That ambitious push fueled innovation, STEM education, and high-skilled jobs. But after his assassination, Jones says the U.S. swapped bold science-driven goals for economic complacency. "The space race wasn’t just about rockets—it was about purpose," he notes.
Fast-forward to today: Tariffs under Trump and Biden aim to revive factories, but Jones warns they’re missing the bigger picture. "Without a Kennedy-style driver for innovation, you’re just rearranging the deck chairs," he adds. Meanwhile, automation and fading STEM investment keep shrinking opportunities.
Bottom line? The ‘self-inflicted’ crisis isn’t new—it’s decades in the making. Can Washington reignite that 1960s spark? Or will manufacturing’s future hinge on old tactics? Stay tuned for Part 3 of our series!
While tariffs and trade wars dominate headlines, Jones pins the roots of America’s industrial slide to a pivotal moment: the post-Kennedy era.
That ambitious push fueled innovation, STEM education, and high-skilled jobs. But after his assassination, Jones says the U.S. swapped bold science-driven goals for economic complacency. "The space race wasn’t just about rockets—it was about purpose," he notes.
"Without a Kennedy-style driver for innovation, you’re just rearranging the deck chairs," he adds. Meanwhile, automation and fading STEM investment keep shrinking opportunities.
Or will manufacturing’s future hinge on old tactics? Stay tuned for Part 3 of our series!
