U.S. consumers could be buying more American products. Or just buying less of everything.

It depends! The Christmas tree a potent symbol not just for the season but for the sustainability of many things we buy.

Job creation in manufacturing slowed from a boom to a trickle in 2019.

"People are scrambling to buy steel," said Lisa Goldenberg, president of Delaware Steel Co.

That question stumped Kai and Molly on this week's "Make Me Smart." Here's the answer.

Darren Quon and James Gau worked in manufacturing before moving into the business of consulting and sourcing.

Shoe manufacturing shifted from Europe and the U.S., to Japan and Brazil, then to South Korea and Taiwan. Now, much of it takes place in mainland China.

The vast majority of American jobs are in the services sector; as distinct to manufacturing, agriculture and others.

China makes almost 70% of the shoes imported into the U.S.

One of the economy's warning lights just switched on.