Through self‑cannibalizing for short‑term profits, U.S. corporations that were once the world’s dominant manufacturers have either gone bankrupt or become sales channels for foreign‑made components. The few that remain are only marginally relevant in design, R&D, for what are increasingly viewed as commodity products such as microprocessors, smartphones, and computers—with the exception of high‑end defense electronics.

If these last bastions of the American electronics industry disappeared tomorrow, few would notice—just as with the countless thousands before them, destined for oblivion.

Rather than investing in their people and developing innovation in advanced manufacturing equipment, American corporate leaders chose to divest their manufacturing capabilities, knowledge, and know‑how to foreign producers—planting the seeds of their own demise for short‑term personal wealth. In pursuit of low‑cost labor, they stifled innovation in advanced manufacturing that would have occurred, if manufacturing had remained in the U.S., and hollowed out our nation’s industrial base.

In terms of volume manufacturing, component fabrication, and assembly, Asia is the undisputed center for electronic components, products, and advanced robotics. It is best positioned to dominate the future not only in advanced manufacturing and robotics, but also in innovation and new product development.