“WASHINGTON — U.S. factories are closing. American manufacturing jobs are reappearing overseas. China’s industrial might is growing each year.

Yet America remains by far the No. 1 manufacturing country. It out-produces No. 2 China by more than 40 percent. U.S. manufacturers cranked out nearly $1.7 trillion in goods in 2009, according to the United Nations.

The story of American factories essentially boils down to this: They’ve managed to make more goods with fewer workers.”

What do you think?

What if higher production adds up to fewer jobs? Is efficiency always a good thing?

How often do you see “Made in U.S.A.” on the products you buy? How about “China?”

Tags: china, commodities, competition, cost-efficiency, industry, jobs, manufacturing, outsourcing, U.S.