Can Any of These Countries Replace China as the Factory of the World?

BMW's employees are pictured working on a BMW car assembly process in a guided visit during the inauguration of the new BMW car production plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, on June 6, 2019. Alfredo Estrella/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

China is losing its influence; it’s in decline. At the same time, however, China, ruled by a despotic regime, is responsible for 28.7 percent of global manufacturing output (more than 10 percentage points ahead of its No. 1 rival, the United States). This utter dependence on China for manufacturing must be stopped. As I write this, three countries are working to siphon customers away from China. Will their efforts prove to be successful?