Morning Brief: Google Tries ‘Made in USA’

Google’s Nexus Q, a wireless home media player designed to compete with the Apple TV, is manufactured in Silicon Valley (NYT). Rising overseas production and transportation costs—as well as longer lead times and the threat of loss of intellectual property—have led more manufacturers such as General Electric and Caterpillar to move some assembly operations back to the United States.  However, other manufacturers have kept production in China because of the difficulty of finding good local sources for component parts and workers in the United States.

The Nexus Q is part of Google’s plunge into hardware (WSJ).  Other products include Google Glass, which incorporates an electronic display into a pair of glasses so the wearer can seamlessly integrate the internet into their lives (TechCrunch) and the Android-powered Nexus 7 tablet with similar dimensions and prices to the Kindle Fire (TechCrunch).

CFR’s Ted Alden discusses the shortage of skilled workers in the U.S. manufacturing pipeline and the need for firms, governments, and unions to work together to encourage young people to pursue manufacturing careers, and schools to increase relevant education.

International trade and investment. Read more from leading analysts on the debate over next steps in U.S. trade policy.

United States Leads in College Payback

Among OECD nations, the United States enjoyed the largest combined private and public benefit from an individual receiving a college degree. In 2007, an average U.S. man’s private net present value (NPV)—lifelong additional earning potential minus all associated costs and adjusted for inflation—for a college degree was $323,808, second only to Portugal which enjoys far lower costs. The U.S. public’s NPV—incremental tax revenue and reduced social support costs minus costs like education—was $193,584, highest in the world.

Education and human capital. Read more from experts discussing ways to improve U.S. education and immigration policies.

The Morning Brief is compiled by Renewing America contributor Steven J. Markovich.