On the Black Friday episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, joined to talk about the launch of the 2025 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide. Paul, whose organization promotes domestic manufacturing, shared insights about the resurgence of American-made goods and the reasons behind the steady support for buying local.
Paul began by introducing listeners to the 2025 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide. Now in its 12th year, the guide showcases products manufactured across all 50 states and features a broad range of goods, from pet supplies to kitchenware. Paul emphasized the rigorous selection process, which involves sourcing products that are truly made in the United States and also meet Federal Trade Commission standards. He discussed how the guide not only helps shoppers find quality goods for the holidays, but also supports American jobs and local economies. Many of the businesses spotlighted are smaller, family-run operations that have chosen to create value in their communities instead of outsourcing overseas.
Next, Paul discussed the ongoing effort to bring more manufacturing jobs back to the United States. He addressed the complexities involved, noting that while strategic tariffs and industrial policies have an impact, companies need policy certainty before making significant commitments to domestic production. Paul explained that although there is increasing momentum, with thousands of new manufacturing facilities having opened in recent years, economic uncertainty and fluctuating trade rules still pose challenges.
Finally, Paul highlighted the importance of attracting the next generation of workers to manufacturing careers. He spoke about Project MFG and its reality competition, Clash of Trades, which pits students from technical high schools against one another in real-world welding and machining challenges. The program is designed to raise the profile of skilled trades and demonstrate that careers in manufacturing and the trades are not only accessible but also potentially lucrative and rewarding. As Paul noted, spotlighting the excitement and innovation within these fields is key to filling the workforce pipeline and making American manufacturing sustainable for years to come.
For more from Paul, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast above.