Joe Biden represented Delaware for 36 years in the U.S. Senate before becoming the 47th Vice President of the United States. In his recent visit to Mack at its Lehigh Valley Operations (LVO) facility in Macungie, Pennsylvania as the President, he stressed the importance of American Manufacturing. This particular week marks the 121st anniversary of Mack Trucks. The visit is also of importance as Mack is part of the only heavy-duty truck manufacturing group. It assembles all of its trucks exclusively in the U.S. for North America.
Importance of Manufacturing in America
Manufacturing is critically important for American Economy, it’s ‘a bedrock of strength for coming generations’. Manufacturing accounts for 12 percent of the U.S. economy and about 11 percent of the private-sector workforce, it creates upward mobility and strength for middle-class workers.
The economic stability depends on the manufacturing and innovation techniques in any nation. Strong domestic manufacturing protects the country from international economic and political disruption.
The global focus of “Innovation and Entrepreneurship” aligns with the Sustainable development Goals 2030.
Namely: Grow Affordable and Clean Energy
Increase Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Influence Responsible Consumption and Production
Advance Life on Land
Manufacturing offers a great deal of economic security. Reviewing the subprime crisis 2008, the collapse of the housing bubble and the devastation on the overall economy would have been less. The financial crisis reminds us that remaining vigilant to emerging risks in the system is important. The financial system is dynamic and firms are innovative.
Further, manufacturing other than just providing jobs is also a hub of economic diversity. It creates a balanced trading relationship.
The Visible Political Divide
Joe Biden’s visit for a good cause paints a twofold image that isn’t new to any nation. A visible political divide easily witnessed. His visit saw partial welcome and partial unwelcome with banners “Trump Rules Biden Drools”. Rural voters in the Lehigh Valley support Trump, and urban and suburban voters typically support Biden. Lehigh Valley is a keystone. With manufacturing generating more than $7 billion a year, according to the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.
It is a booming area not just concerning infrastructure but also politically. Biden’s visits coincide with “Made in America week” which seems similar to “Make in India”. Manufacturing push for pro-manufacturing process with the emergence of Industrial Reforms 4.0 Globally.
The Two approaches:
Moreover, during Trumps Campaign visit the focus was on “America First”. The idealistic divide where Trump focused not only on manufacturing but also on jobs as well. The focus being that job created go to Americans instead of non American nationals and securing jobs for future generations. The idea is widespread.
The protest banners and interviews mostly due to recent restrictions being put on students for wearing masks or having vaccination amid COVID-19. They look at it as their choice being repressed. The legitimacy of the elections questioned as well.
Trump’s 2020 rally in October offered masks to people. However, didn’t force them to wear them stating “we all live in free society”. They also made the attendees sign an acknowledgement regarding the risk of COVID-19 spread in public gatherings.
Biden’s visit was also an unwelcome because of his pressing demands on gun law enforcement. Making stricter background checks or possible banning of selling of guns to anyone below 21 years of age. This has not gone under the favour of Biden as the court ruled it violates the second amendment.
Two statements taken into consideration in regards to this-
- 18-year-olds possess a Second Amendment right to gun ownership and notes that they “required at the time of the Founding to serve in the militia and furnish their own weapons,” wrote Richardson, a nominee of President Donald Trump.
- “The Second Amendment is exceptional not because it is uniquely oppressed or imperilled, but rather because it is singularly capable of causing harm,” Wynn, a nominee of President Barack Obama.
“Unions Built the Middle Class”
Biden’s new proposal for the implementation of “Buy America” is as follows:
- Sharply increase domestic content requirements for products sold to the federal government. Require products bought with taxpayer dollars to be made in America with 75% American parts, as against the current 55% rule.
- Strengthens domestic supply chains with new price preferences
- Increases transparency and accountability in Buy American rules
Biden’s administration ensures to meet the demands of science while empowering American workers and businesses to lead a clean energy revolution.
Amidst Emerging Delta Variant
The global economy came almost down with the COVID-19 striking countries. The lockdown affected and halted projects slowing down the manufacturing projects. The anxiety and worry of Delta variant hitting is haunting again for possible imposition of vaccination for civilian federal workers. The CDC has been updating its guidelines as the country moves towards the “New Normal” work life.
- Wear a mask in public indoor settings if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
- Fully vaccinated travellers don’t need to get a SARS-CoV-2 viral test before or after domestic travel unless testing is required by local, state, or territorial health authorities.
- Fully vaccinated people might choose to wear a mask in crowded outdoor settings if they or someone in their household is immune compromised.
Conclusion
With a 1 trillion dollars infrastructure package, Joe Biden might be already looking for his 2022 election win. Pennsylvania one of the 8 Governor Seats for which Biden seems promising reshaping economy for working class “blue-collar jobs”, thrust is on “build back better” program. The failure to bring back manufacturing jobs could hurt already ailing factories and towns across the country and possibly imperil Democrats.
