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a number of companies did go to Mexico to take advantage of NAFTA, but most of the decline in jobs was/is more roundabout. A lot of companies send orders for goods to China (or wherever) because it is cheaper for them to produce and ship them to the U.S., than it is to make them here. A local example is a company called Plano Plastics, located in Plano, Illinois (not very far from me). They have a couple of factories that make things here, but 85% of their goods are made in China. Some need assembly here, but others go straight from the shipping docks in San Diego to Walmart and Target. Plano hasn't moved or closed any factories here, but they stopped hiring because it is more economic for them to have things made to their specifications in China (or wherever) and have them shipped here.
What is A few years ago when NAFTA came in, there was supposed to be a 'giant sucking sound' as jobs left the US for Mexico.
That didnt happen. Instead they all went to China, and we dont even have frre trade with them?
If someone wants cheap labour tp prodecue inexpensive goods, wouldnt it be better and closer to build a factory in Mexico? Wouldnt that also ease the tide of immigrants? Thanks for your thoughts!