6 Important Reasons You Should Buy American-Made Products

Well, to make a long story short: yes, there are real, concrete reasons to buy American. It not only benefits you as a consumer, but it also helps the workers who make the products and contributes to a healthier economy. 

It’s not just clothing, either. While boots and jeans might proudly display their Made in America labels, the same applies for cars, furniture, electronics, and any number of goods you might be buying – either in person or online.

So, let’s take a look behind the label and see what buying American-made products really means.

Buying American Is Better for You

1. Quality Products

In a recent survey, 46% of respondents said they believe that American-made products are higher in quality. That’s not just a hunch – there’s something very real behind that sentiment.

While some great products are made overseas, there are no guarantees that you’ll be getting a product that’s made with care, craft, and good materials. Quality standards are stricter here at home, so when you buy American you know that the manufacturer had to make a product that’s at least decent.

When a company decides not to outsource production, it’s also a sign that they care about something other than cutting corners and minimizing costs. They’re far more likely to take pride in making a product that’s comfortable, sturdy, and durable. 

2. Cost Savings

You might be surprised to see this on the list. After all, isn’t the one big downside of buying American is that it costs more?

While yes, it certainly can cost a bit more to buy products made in America, the savings you get from buying cheaper goods is often a false economy. You might save some money up front, but you probably won’t in the long run. Poorly made shoes wear through more quickly and have to be replaced more often. Low-quality knock offs can break down sooner – and often without warranty or other consumer protections. Cheap furniture made without craftsmanship can’t take much wear and tear before needing to be tossed. 

Dollar for dollar, when you factor in the longevity of the product, your American-made goods might have a higher sticker price but it will save you money over time.

Buying American Is Better for Everyone

5. A Cleaner Environment

There’s another regulatory agency that keeps an eye on American workplaces. The Environmental Protection Agency’s job is to ensure that manufacturing facilities minimize damage to the environment.

American companies need to be responsible for the waste they produce. They must take steps to minimize the pollution and prevent chemical runoff into waterways.

Unfortunately, that’s not the same in every part of the world. Behind many cheap imported products, there are lax environmental standards that allow companies to dump corrosive products into lakes and rivers, burn materials that release noxious pollution into the atmosphere, and get away with countless practices that would get them shut down in the United States. 

It’s not just environmental standards, however. Even sustainably made products are an issue when they come from overseas – precisely because they have to come from overseas. Products made and sold in America can be shipped over railways and highways, but imported products first have to make their journey by sea or by air. All that extra transportation results in pollution that could have been avoided by buying goods made closer to home. 

Buying American products is the sustainable option. It’s an important step in keeping our air clean and protecting the supply of safe drinking water.

6. Better Jobs and a Stronger Economy

Manufacturing used to be big in America, then companies began offshoring their production.

From the mid-60s to the 2010s, American manufacturing jobs declined by about one third. That shrinking is especially striking when you consider that the population increased by more than 50% over the same period of time.

When manufacturing leaves the United States, so do many of our best jobs. Career options narrow for a large segment of the population, and jobs that can support a family become harder and harder to find.

The disappearance of those jobs also means a significant reduction in spending power. Fewer people with full employment or disposable income means fewer consumers who can keep the American economy running.

When you buy American, you become a job creator. That’s not an exaggeration – these jobs only exist if there is a market for the goods they make. Every dollar you spend on American products is a dollar you’re investing back into the country’s economy – and building it back up.

Beware of Misleading Labels

Most Americans are willing to pay more for products if they’re made in America. Unfortunately, that means some manufacturers will create misleading labels to take advantage of that good instinct.

One label you might come across is “Assembled in the USA.” That sounds nice and it gives the impression that you’d be supporting American jobs by purchasing the product, but that’s not the case. It’s a claim companies can make even if the majority of the production and assembly takes place overseas – and a minimal amount of finishing work takes place once it arrives here.

So, how can you tell if something is truly American made?

Thankfully, the Federal Trade Commission has your back. 

The FTC requires that any product labeled “Made in USA” that is advertised or sold in the country must be “all or virtually all made in the U.S.” Meaning that “all significant parts and processing that go into the product must be of U.S. origin.”

Remember those three words: “Made in USA.” That’s a guarantee you can rely on. Other claims that sound similar (like “Assembled in the USA”) might have little purpose beyond misleading consumers.

If you want more certainty, check out our Shop USA page for quality American-made goods that support workers and the economy.

Buying without Compromising Your Values

Many people are tempted by the lower prices on products made overseas, but few of them stop to think about what their purchase is supporting. In many cases, it’s unsafe workplaces, poor labor conditions, pollution – and a number of other things that go against their personal values.

You don’t have to set your values aside when you’re shopping. American-made products in every category are readily available and reasonably priced. They’re well-made, durable, and go to workplaces you’d be proud to support. 

So the next time you’re comparing products, look for the “Made in USA” label. Because now you know that those three simple words mean that your purchase is better in every way.