Sam D'Amico and Noah Smith on How China Masters Manufacturing (And How America Can Catch Up)

In this episode of Econ 102, Noah Smith and Sam D'Amico discuss China's dominance in modern manufacturing, particularly in the electric tech stack, which includes technologies driving industries like EVs and robotics. Sam argues that the U.S. has fallen behind due to geographical segregation of engineers and factory workers, outdated regulations hindering domestic production, and a lack of focus on the electric tech stack. They explore potential solutions such as liberalizing land use for manufacturing, creating regional clusters to foster collaboration, and investing in key industries like electric motors and cameras. Sam also highlights the importance of adapting to the new tech stack, where software defines physical performance, and suggests that appliances, like the stoves made by his company Impulse, can drive demand for these technologies in the U.S. The conversation touches on industrial policy, the role of government intervention, and the need for the U.S. to foster innovation and compete with China in the evolving landscape of manufacturing.