| Sumario: | Manufacturing industries in the U.S. tend to cluster in certain regions of the country, and those that are active in international trade show more geographic concentration than those that do most or all of their business domestically. This concentration may hurt local economies and make it difficult for laid-off workers to find new jobs when manufacturers relocate, reduce their work forces, or go out of business because of an industry downturn. Trade Adjustment Assistance is the primary government program serving workers displaced because of trade. Liberalized trade pacts such as the proposed North American Free Trade Agreement will probably increase the geographic concentration of trade-sensitive industries. They will create some new jobs and eliminate some old ones, but the job gains are not likely to be in the same areas as the job losses. The trade-related prospects of specific regions, industries, and demographic groups in the U.S. are discussed.
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