I like your idea, Skyman...and although I haven't been around quite as long; I've been thinking an awful lot about this...in fact, every time I see a made-in-China tag or a toyota badge, I think about this...
I couldn't give a rat's behind what companies deal with abroad...it's up to the other countries to set standards and rules in their best interests, and I don't want the US to mess with that as we have no right. But I DO think we need to take similar actions here in the US that prop up domestic manufacturers, and make it slightly harder for foriegn companies...we need to "root for the home team" (which includes Canada and Mexico).
--Our gov't can start by removing the incentives for foriegn companies to come over here and set up shop. And increase the incentives for our own companies to do so. This SHOULD, alone, level the playing field enough for our companies to become competitive on their home terf. There's no reason for the situation to be otherwise (as it is right now).
--The next step,
could be to require any imported good to have been made in a US-approved assembly/manufacturing plant. 'Approved' meaning that it has a certain level of working conditions and not crazy-ass 16-hour days sweatshop. If a company can't comply...too bad!! No sales in the US. This isn't tampering with how foriegn entities run their businesses, but it does allow the US to be selective in who it deals with. This isn't necessarily in favor of unions because its about working conditions not pay, etc. Generally, working conditions in the US and Canada are better than those in anywhere in Asia...so it gives our continent the advantage, again, on our hime terf.
-- Then, if all else fails, a more extreme measure - and one that I'm not in favor of except as a last-resort - could be to slap a 20% tariff on anything imported (excepting the US, Canada, and Mexico) and be done with it. It doesn't need to be permanent, but it WILL help US-based manufacturers who build and make things in the USA, without harming Canadian and Mexican-based manufacturers.
The thing to remember is that it's not ALL about the companies. The American public seems to have a fetish with imported goods, and they don't realize it. Why buy a Toyota? I love the answers...ranging from "America makes crap" to "why not?"...these people need to have an incentive to buy American, because it's painfully obvious they won't do it on their own.:( The above measures SHOULD make it cheaper to buy US-made things as it easies the burden on the US-based companies. And the majority of people will by the cheapest product, regardless of where its made; so this should persuade them to buy American...
Who knows if we'll ever see any of what we're talking about happen....