More than two decades ago, on December 11, 2001, the Chinese mainland joined the WTO, sparking debate about the fate of American manufacturing. Yet the full story goes beyond shuttered factories.
Since that landmark accession, the U.S. has added 27.4 million non‑farm payroll jobs, offsetting the 3.9 million manufacturing roles that were lost. Healthcare and social assistance alone contributed 7.9 million new positions, while professional services, education and logistics also saw significant growth.
Instead of collapse, the U.S. economy adapted—shifting toward services, higher‑skilled professions and emerging sectors. This transformation highlights how global trade can drive domestic innovation and job creation.
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Reference(s):
China's WTO entry didn't kill American jobs – it changed them
cgtn.com
