[jacobmoe]

I agree it's a disappointing article, but your second point is answered:

“You can’t bring manufacturing back because of those webs, you would have to bring the entire community back,”

[dreamcompiler]

It would have been nice to see some examples of what "those webs" entail and why they can't exist in the US.

[ramblerouser]

They don't exist because China has protectionist policies that give them an advantage and the US elites abolished most of its tarrifs in the 80's and 90's. they could easily come back but the new york times doesn't want them to, and they don't want you to think it's even a possibility.