President Trump ignited a global trade war on a gamble that taxing other countries would bring jobs and factories “roaring back” to the United States.
Many business leaders are skeptical. Some are incredulous. Sanjeev Bahl is optimistic.
From his factory in Los Angeles, Mr. Bahl oversees around 250 people who sew, cut and distress jeans for brands like Everlane, J. Crew and Ralph Lauren. They stitch together 70,000 pairs of jeans a month. America, he insisted, can make stuff again.
But there is a catch. The operation works only because his company, Saitex, runs a much bigger factory and fabric mill in southern Vietnam where thousands of workers churn out 500,000 pairs of jeans a month.
Mr. Trump’s tariffs have upended supply chains, walloped businesses and focused the minds of corporate leaders on one question: Does America have what it takes to bring jobs back?
In many industries, the undertaking would take years, if not decades. The United States lacks nearly every part of the manufacturing ecosystem — the workers, the training, the technology and the government support.
“There are some harsh realities,” said Matt Priest, chief executive of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, a trade group.