Why make stuff in the U.S. if it can be imported more cheaply from abroad?

如果可以從國外進口更廉價的產品，為何我們還要在美國製造？

One answer is jobs.

其中一個答案是提供更多工作機會

But there's another big reason.

但這其中隱含著更深層的原因

Manufacturing in America is a matter of national security.

產品是否在美國製造和國安問題息息相關

The United States is at risk.

美國身陷危險中

if potential enemies suddenly stop supplying parts for weapons systems.

如果潛在的敵人突然停止供應軍武系統的零件

The big five defense contractors depend on technology

五大軍武承包商仰賴民間的專門技術、

and manufacturing know-how developed by the civilian sector.

還有製造的專業知識

And the U.S. civilian manufacturing base is gradually eroding.

而美國民間的製造基地日漸惡化

This is forcing the defense sector to look overseas at times for the parts it needs…

這迫使美國國防部門必須往國外尋找它所需要的零件

Free-trade agreements DO allow for purchases from close allies.

自由貿易協定的確是允許美國和親近的盟友購買軍武

The Pentagon can also grant waivers from the "Buy American Act"

美國軍事當局同時也擁有免除《購買美國產品法》的權力

when contractors can't find what they need in the U.S..

當承包商無法在國內找到他們需要的零件

But there's a problem,

但有個很嚴重的問題，

the world's biggest manufacturer is also an emerging military rival – China.

目前世界上最大的製造國，同時也是美國成長中的軍事競爭對手– 中國

Federal law prohibits the Pentagon from buying weapons or parts from China.

聯邦法禁止美國軍武當局從中國購買武器、甚至是武器的零件

But that's getting tougher to avoid

但實際上卻是越來越難以避免

because China simply dominates the market for some critical components.

由於中國已經是部分元件的主要供應商

Take printed circuit boards,

以印刷電路板為例，

which go into military systems from missiles to ships to trucks.

它存在於軍武系統中，從飛彈、船隻到卡車都可以看見它的身影

A Defense Department report says

美國軍事當局報告表示：

China makes close to half of the world’s printed circuit boards.

中國製造了全球近半數的印刷電路板

China is also slowly building strength in other electronics, including semiconductors.

中國的力量同時在其他電子產品中成長，包括半導體

And it's the largest producer of a chemical compound used in detonators

中國也是用於引信的化學合成物的最大製造商，

for over 200 kinds of munitions.

包含了兩百多種彈藥

Without singling out China, the Pentagon warns that if key parts aren’t made in America,

雖然美國軍事當局沒有特別指出中國，他們警告若關鍵的軍武元件不是由美國本土製造，

the U.S. risks supply disruption, theft of its technology, or even sabotage.

美國軍武將有供應中斷、技術被竊取，甚至被毀壞的危險

The trouble is, buy-American laws can also make domestic manufacturers inefficient

問題的點在於《購買美國產品法》也會使得國內的製造生產缺乏效率、

and expensive by shielding them from competition.

同時也很昂貴，由於它們缺乏競爭

and the U.S. already spends more on its military than the next eight countries combined.

而美國在軍武花費的排名已經遠遠超過它後面八個國家的總和了