US manufacturing output recovers while employment remains flat

• US manufacturing production began recovering in early 2026, but employment remained largely unchanged despite tariffs aimed at boosting factory jobs.
• Productivity gains underpin the divergence: output exceeds 1970s levels by more than 60%, while employment remains 6.8 million below August 1979’s peak.
• Computer and electronic products output rose approximately 3,400% since 1990, while employment fell from roughly 2 million to about 1 million.
• US manufacturing workers earn approximately $77,000 annually before benefits, compared with roughly $15,000 in China, limiting competitiveness in labor-intensive industries.
• Tariffs sufficient to offset that wage gap across all industries would effectively prohibit trade, significantly reducing economic welfare.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Chung Wu Investment Group LLC published the original content used to generate this news brief on October 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.