Tariffs

 A very interesting moment in history, but what does it mean for American future?

In this post, I’ll explain why we may be entering the most promising transformation in America since the end of World War II—and why now is the time to invest in robotics, mechanical engineering, mineral mining and processing, factories, and energy. A major shift is happening, and this time, we have a real chance to build something lasting.

For the past 30 years, I’ve watched American manufacturing and software development steadily move overseas. What started as a way to cut costs—outsourcing jobs to India, China, and elsewhere—gradually turned into something much more damaging. We didn’t just lose jobs. We lost know-how, confidence, and control. I still remember when My Job Went to India: And All I Got Was This Lousy Book came out in 2005. It was funny—but also painfully true. Back then, offshoring had already become the norm. And today, in 2025, we’re living with the consequences: a country that consumes everything but builds almost nothing at home. Even our most critical technologies—like silicon chips and AI models—are mostly made abroad. And the people who know how to build them? We have to bring them in from other countries.

But something big is changing—and fast. Whether you chalk it up to politics, global tensions, or long-overdue common sense, over $8 trillion has been committed to rebuilding America’s industrial base. These aren’t just lofty promises. They’re real investments. Apple alone is putting in $500 billion. Nvidia is matching that with another $500 billion. TSMC is building chip fabs here with a $165 billion commitment. This isn’t a handful of test projects. This is a wave of capital equal to more than 20% of the entire U.S. GDP. We’re seeing a 22% increase in domestic investment—in a single quarter. That’s unprecedented.

And the name of the plan? MAIA—Make America Investable Again. I had to smile. Not just because of the acronym, but because it echoes Maia, the ancient goddess of spring and renewal. After decades of decline, we might finally be planting something new.

What’s different now? Well, the original reason we outsourced everything was simple: cheap labor. First it was China. Then Vietnam and Thailand stepped in. But in 2025, cheap labor just isn’t what it used to be. Wages are rising. Populations are aging. And here’s the biggest change of all: automation is ready. AI, robotics, and massive smart factories don’t rely on endless rows of low-paid workers. They rely on precision, code, clean energy, and intelligent logistics. And that puts America—rich in land, capital, and innovation—in a position to lead this new kind of industrial age.

This is the real story behind the headlines. It’s not about nationalism or wishful thinking. It’s about the hard facts of economics, energy, and technology finally aligning. The tools are here. The investment is flowing. The jobs will follow. The companies that once left now see a better path here at home. They’re not chasing cheap labor anymore. They’re looking for stable, resilient supply chains. And they’re finding them in America.

So here we are. The tide is turning. After decades of offshoring and decay, we’re finally building again. But this time, it’s different. Not with sweatshops and smog—but with robots, renewables, and maybe, just maybe, a little bit of national pride.