Press

Mandel for Forbes: “Voters In Key States Support An Active Manufacturing Policy”

03.06.2020

Does the United States need a new manufacturing policy? The answer is yes, according to a new poll commissioned by the Progressive Policy Institute, where I am chief economic strategist. The poll, conducted by Pete Brodnitz, surveyed 1500 registered voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin in early-to-mid February, three swing states that will be critical for the 2020 presidential election in November.

The poll covered high-profile issues such as healthcare, climate change, and budget deficits. But it also probed the attitude of voters towards trade and government-led manufacturing policy, with some surprising results.

These questions were especially timely in light of recent events. The coronavirus epidemic, of course, has illustrated the fragility of global supply chains, and the potential problems with having too much global production concentrated in China. In February, for example, Coca-Cola, for example, warned of possible disruptions in the supply of sweeteners coming from China. Other industries, from steel to pharmaceuticals, face similar potential problems.

Read the full piece here.