Final answer:
Innovation is key to strengthening the U.S. manufacturing base. Historical support for innovation has facilitated the growth of efficient global assembly lines. In the face of increasing offshoring, innovation is the competitive edge that can ensure the manufacturing base remains strong. This statement is true.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'to strengthen its manufacturing base, the U.S will need to continue to innovate' is indeed True. Innovation is key in making processes more efficient and products superior. As evidenced historically, governments have made concerted efforts to support innovative companies and seek out applicable technology. For example, students and government commissions were sent abroad to study the most efficient industrial operations.
Presently, we see the emergence of global assembly lines, where components are sourced internationally before final assembly, best epitomized by tech companies like Apple. These innovative strategies have provided a significant boost to U.S. economic growth. Technology has proven to be the most important contributor to economic growth, often outpacing the growth brought about by increases in human capital and physical capital.
However, the U.S needs to keep innovating to maintain its edge, particularly in the manufacturing sector. With the trend of companies increasingly moving operations abroad for cheaper labor, maintaining manufacturing within the U.S. comes down to offering something additional - innovation.
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