(2)
(a) The truth is, US manufacturing is not in decline, although its
employment in that sector is. This is because US leads the world in per
capita productivity, which is growing with years.
(b)
"The United States is the world’s leading producer of manufactured
goods. Standing alone, the U.S. manufacturing
sector would represent the fifth-largest economy in the world—larger than
China’s economy as a whole." (page 7)
"The [manufacturing] sector continues to account for 14 percent of U.S. GDP
and 11 percent of total U.S. employment." (p. 14)
as well as Figures 1 an 2 in
Manufacturing in America; A comprehensive Strategy to Address the Challenges
to US Manufacturers. US Department of Commerce, January 2004.
http://www.trade.gov/media/publications/pdf/manuam0104final.pdf
(3) The difference of manufacturing (14%) and industry (20%) as GDP component xcan be appreciated from this classification.
"The goods-producing industries supersector group consists of these
supersectors and sectors:
>> Natural Resources and Mining
>> Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11)
>> Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction (NAICS 21)
>> Construction
>> Construction (NAICS 23)
>> Manufacturing
>> Manufacturing (NAICS 31-33)"
Industries at a Glance. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor.
http://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag06.htm