The deconstruction started under Clinton with the free trade agreements, Nafta, and free trade with China. Both parties are to blame for this. Both wanted it. Ross Perot was right, the giant sucking sound taking our industry away. We only have 10% industrial workers today compared to 1990 with 20%. If we had that 10% back, our unemployment rate would now be about 5-6%.
We need to first stop importing oil the quickest way possible, to stop that drain of money out of the country. This means natural gas for fleets, and diesel with synthetic diesel from coal. None imported.
Then we need to begin adding tarriffs on imported goods that can be made in the US and using this money to give tax credits to corporations who hire full time American workers with health insurance.
I spend money at retailers, they buy from wholesalers, who buys from manufacturers, who pay workers, who buy natural gas for their homes, which pays my salary. Average turn around on dollar is 7 times. If it goes overseas, that is one link in the chain that is not taxed, or providing a job for.
So, use American energy as half our imported goods value is oil, so that can be completely cut out in 5-10 years.
Then, tax the impored goods we can make here. Bananas, coffee, cocoa would not be taxed. Clothing, shoes, and manufactured goods imported should have a tarriff on them if the country we are trading with can't buy the equivelant products and goods value from us. That is free trade.