Walter Cronkite and exporting our manufacturing and technology to China

"Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation."
Walter C.
Imagine what he would say about ignorance of technology at our current level of development.
His message, is that whatever the cost, we must reclaim our manufacturing base from China, because it is cheap compared to the consequences,.
I don't doubt that we are incapable of doing this since even simple things that individuals can do to improve their lives are often left till they are too late.
What is it about us that prevents us from doing the most simple things to improve our lot?