America’s Industrial Renewal: Time to Build Again

By Patrick J. Wolf, PhD – March, 2025

America’s Industrial Renewal: Time to Build Again
America has a chance to reclaim its industrial soul, and it’s a chance we can’t afford to miss. For too long, we’ve let our manufacturing strength slip away, chasing cheaper labor overseas. Speaking at the 2025 American Dynamism Summit (Link), Vice President JD Vance painted a picture of what’s possible: a future where innovation drives a comeback for American workers and rebuilding American industry. I’ve spent years advising businesses on strategy, and his words hit home. This isn’t just talk, it’s a plan we can rally behind.

Vice President Vance makes a solid case that technology isn’t the enemy of jobs; it’s their ally. He mentioned the ATM, a machine people once feared would wipe out bank tellers. Instead, it made them more productive, shifting their work to better tasks with bigger paychecks. “The history of American innovation is that we tend to make people more productive, and then we increase their wages in the process,” he said. I’ve seen this play out in business. From the assembly line to the microchip, our breakthroughs have always lifted workers, not pushed them out. AI could do the same if we steer it right, helping in the rebuilding of American industry.

But here’s the problem: we’ve lost ground. Vice President Vance pointed to shipbuilding as a stark example. Back in World War II, we built three ships every two days. Now, we’re lucky to finish five in a year, a small 0.1 percent of the world’s total. China, meanwhile, outpaces everyone. That’s not just a number; it’s a wake-up call. When we stop making things, we stop inventing them. Innovation dies. VP Vance nailed it: outsourcing has dulled our edge, and we’re kidding ourselves if we think design stays here while production goes elsewhere. The two feed each other, and we’ve let that cycle break.

The administration’s response, as VP Vance laid out, is straightforward. Tariffs protect key sectors like autos. Tax cuts and deregulation encourage companies to invest here. Border security ensures American workers get the first shot at new jobs. The early wins are hard to argue with: 9,000 auto jobs added, billions pledged by companies like Honda, and a steep drop in illegal crossings. Energy prices are dipping too, giving manufacturers a boost. This isn’t about coddling industry; it’s about setting the table so we can compete.

Some will complain about tariffs jacking up costs or regulations being slashed too fast. Fair enough, but Vance’s argument isn’t pie-in-the-sky. He sees cheap labor as a trap, a shortcut that kills innovation. I’ve advised enough firms to know he’s right—relying on low wages stalls progress. A country that bets on its people and its builders wins long-term. Look at the $1.7 trillion in fresh investment since January. That’s real investment, creating real jobs.

I’ve worked with companies and leaders across industries, and I live in the wonderful state of Idaho where people take pride in their work. VP Vance’s vision isn’t abstract to me; it’s personal. We’ve all felt the sting of factories closing and towns hollowing out. His push to bridge innovation and populism feels like common sense: give workers a fair shake and let builders thrive We don’t win by undercutting ourselves. We win by outsmarting the competition, right here on our soil. The pieces are falling into place. The choice is clear—build here, invest in our future, and reclaim America’s industrial strength.

The Vice President’s remarks are cited from “Our Great American Industrial Comeback,” Commonplace, March 20, 2025, https://commonplace.org/2025/03/20/our-great-american-industrial-comeback/

About the Author:
Patrick J. Wolf, PhD, is a business strategist and advisor with expertise in technology, economic policy, and governance. He has advised Fortune 100 companies, private organizations, and leadership teams on strategic planning, financial oversight, and executive decision-making. In addition to his professional work, Patrick serves as an advisor to academic, private, and political initiatives, offering guidance on business strategy and economic impact. He lives in Idaho with his wife and three children.
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