Buy American?

[localgirl]

Does it make a difference to the U.S. economy if we buy American? Are there any facts or studies out there that support this? Or is all of it word-of-mouth and interesting anecdotes? I need some solid facts backed up by valid sources.

[Jacob Berry]

I would point you to people way smarter than I am. This is still a controversial issue but I think a great explanation of the economics of the question can be found as a podcast here: EconTalk | Library of Economics and Liberty. Russ Roberts take the complexities of economics and makes it fairly simple. I think that your question is explained somewhat by Don Boudreaux in this podcast: Don Boudreaux on China, Currency Manipulation, and Trade Deficits | EconTalk | Library of Economics and Liberty

[tattedupboy]

The way I see it, the term "American" could mean different things. Is a "foreign" company any less "American" if it has a production facility on U.S. soil and it hires mostly Americans at those facilities? Kinda how I feel about "foreign" and "American" automobiles too.

[SC Tiger]

I agree with tattedupboy. Which is better - buying from an American company that makes it's stuff overseas or a foreign company that makes it's stuff here? Example - the Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Impala are made in Canada. The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are made here. Which benefits the US Economy more? Which creates more American jobs? IMO it's the foreign company hiring American workers.

When Toyota arrived in Nascar, people were up in arms that a foreign company has entered an American sport. What they did not consider is that A) Dodge (who was already back in) was owned by Daimler so were technically German, and B) The only two "cars" used in Nascar that are American made are the Dodge Charger and Toyota Camry (cars is in quotes because a Nascar Camry is NOTHING like the street car). The Fusion is made in Mexico and the Impala is made in Canada.

[turbo52]

Yea I get a bunch of crap for driving a Toyota Tacoma but I was told it was made somewhere in Ohio. I never looked into it so someone can correct me but even foreign cars will still have american parts as well

[sFe]

Yea I get a bunch of crap for driving a Toyota Tacoma but I was told it was made somewhere in Ohio. I never looked into it so someone can correct me but even foreign cars will still have american parts as well

It was made in California along with the Corolla. Now its made in Texas along with the Tundra.

[Terminal Lance]

Yeah that happens all too much now-a-days. I work with a guy who used to make an absurd amount of money and had a big house in the rich neighborhood where I live a few hundred grand in the bank and all kind of toys (harley, jet skis, 4 wheelers, boats,etc. Then went to work one day and got laid off because it would cost the company less to send the parts to china, have them assemble/repair them and ship them back then it would to pay him to do it. He may be full of ***** I dunno, but either way it happens. Just business I guess.

[Raider-3]

Yea I get a bunch of crap for driving a Toyota Tacoma but I was told it was made somewhere in Ohio. I never looked into it so someone can correct me but even foreign cars will still have american parts as well

I have a 2011 tacoma. From my understanding a japanese company, engine and transmission built in the states, and the truck was assembled in mexico.

[Raider-3]

I think the only thing left truly American is mack truck

[Raider-3]

Speaking of nascar, all it is now is Honda engines and Brazilian drivers.