Back to Basics, Why America Should Rethink Its Manufacturing

GraniteCityGossip.com October 10, 2025

As China tightens its grip on global exports, especially rare earth materials essential to high-tech manufacturing, the United States faces a critical crossroads. Do we continue chasing ever-smarter gadgets, or do we dial back the clock and rediscover the power of simplicity?

For decades, American-made appliances like refrigerators, stoves, and washers were built to last. They didn’t need Wi-Fi, touchscreens, or voice commands, they just worked. And they worked for decades. Reviving this approach could create thousands of jobs in small towns U.S.A., reduce dependency on foreign supply chains, especially those vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and restore pride in American craftsmanship, where durability and reliability take precedence over flashy features.

Modern appliances often rely on semiconductors, sensors, and rare earth magnets, many of which are sourced from China. These components drive up costs, shorten product lifespans, complicate repairs and recycling. By contrast, low-tech appliances, require fewer imported materials and are easier to maintain and repair and offer longer lifespans with fewer breakdowns.

Imagine a new generation of American appliances that are built with analog controls, not digital dependencies and designed for longevity, not planned obsolescence, manufactured in local plants, not overseas factories.

This isn’t just nostalgia, it’s strategy. It’s about reclaiming control, rebuilding resilience, and giving consumers the choice to opt out of the tech treadmill.