You love America. You support our military, go hard on the 4th of July, and stand proudly with your hand on your heart during the National Anthem. But patriotism doesn’t stop there.
Buying products made in America is one of the best ways you can support your country. Buying from U.S. manufacturers promotes American independence, provides jobs for our citizens, boosts our economy, and much more, making it a meaningful way to display your national pride.
It may seem like a small choice, but it's one with more impact than most people realize. Here are seven reasons why it’s important to support U.S. businesses and buy products made in the USA.
It Provides Jobs for Americans
First and foremost, buying products made in the USA helps provide jobs for your fellow Americans and for future generations. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, manufacturing is the fifth-largest employer in the United States, employing around 12.3 million people in 2025.
And it’s not just a means of income. Manufacturing positions are good jobs, offering decent wages, stability, and benefits to millions of workers without a college degree. In fact, manufacturing positions paid nearly 11% more than other jobs that didn’t require a degree in 2012-13.
Sadly, the number of manufacturing jobs in the United States has dropped by 35% since its peak in 1979, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s 6.7 million total American manufacturing jobs that have been lost, largely due to offshoring.
The best way to help boost the number of American jobs is to intentionally buy products made in the United States. Your support is what keeps U.S. companies in business.
Besides, the more people who support American businesses, the more employees these companies will need to hire, and the more they can pay their existing employees. When workers start to make more money, they begin to climb up the socioeconomic ladder into middle or upper-middle-class circles. This pattern can help families break the cycle of poverty for themselves as well as their children and grandchildren. All of this is thanks to U.S. citizens who choose to buy American-made products.
It Boosts the Economy
One of the most obvious benefits of supporting U.S. companies is that it keeps your dollars on American soil and boosts our economy in a number of ways.
Companies that manufacture products in the United States need local workers to do the job (obviously). These workers then spend their salary on things like bills, consumer goods, and restaurants, all of which pay other Americans who will, in turn, spend their money on similar things.
Not only that, but companies that manufacture and source their materials within the U.S. support other American businesses that also pay local employees, and the cycle continues.
These businesses also generate a hefty tax revenue that goes straight back into the economy. Not only do businesses pay taxes, but their employees pay taxes as well. These taxes fund the U.S. government to provide, wait for it, even MORE American jobs to government employees like police officers, firefighters, and city staff.
Tax revenue also goes toward things like city, state, and federal infrastructure projects that provide income for construction workers, architects, material manufacturers, etc. (are you seeing a theme here?).
Another economic benefit of buying American goods is that it can help reduce the U.S. trade deficit. In recent years, the U.S. has imported significantly more goods than it has exported. As of July 2025, the United States’ trade deficit was a whopping $78.3 billion, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The best way to do your part to help close the gap in the American trade deficit? Buy products manufactured in the USA.
The U.S. Has More Ethical Labor Laws
Nobody wants to buy products that are unethically made. But many of us unknowingly do it all the time, especially when it comes to purchasing items manufactured in another country.
Here in America, we have laws against “sweatshops,” which are defined by the U.S. Department of Labor as factories that violate two or more labor laws. These factories tend to have bad working conditions, unreasonable hours, poor wages, a lack of employee benefits, and even child labor.
The U.S. has stronger labor laws than most undeveloped countries, according to the National Employment Law Project. Government entities such as OSHA regulate workplace safety to minimize accidents and health hazards and enforce employee rights.
Child labor is one of the most serious concerns in many undeveloped countries. Across the world, approximately 12 million children are working in the industrial sector alone, while another 98 million work in agriculture and 54 million in the service industry.
Many foreign countries also fail to pay their workers a livable wage. As of January 2022, the average minimum wage in China was $3.03 compared to $11.89 in the U.S.
While certainly not every business in the U.S. follows the rules, government regulations regarding wages, child labor, and safe working environments are significantly stricter than many other countries. This makes it a safer bet that you’re supporting a responsible business when you buy items made in the USA.
You Get Better Quality Products
Over 60% of adults are willing to pay more for a product that’s made in the U.S., according to a Gallup survey. Part of the reason for this is that American products are often of higher quality than their foreign counterparts.
Even though it may be difficult to tell the difference in quality between American and imported products sometimes (though other times it’s VERY obvious), the numbers don’t lie. Chinese products account for a “disproportionate number” of product recalls in the U.S. In 2014, a whopping 51% of all product safety recalls were for items manufactured in China, according to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission.
The USCC says Chinese suppliers have also been known to sometimes cut corners during manufacturing to save on costs, leaving consumers with defective products.
While there are definitely products made in the U.S. that don’t deserve to be labeled “high-quality,” many American manufacturers, like GeoGrit, craft their products with exceptional care and use high-grade materials that hold up over time and don’t pose health or safety risks to customers.
It’s Better for the Environment
Buying products that are made in America is easier on the environment in several ways.
First, because products manufactured in the United States don't have to be shipped across oceans, the carbon emissions associated with transportation are significantly lower. An item being shipped from California to Florida travels 2,700 miles, while an item from China to the U.S. must travel 7,200 miles overseas and THEN make the trip across the country.
The United States also has significantly more environmental regulations for manufacturers, including the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Many less developed countries lack in these areas, resulting in a disturbing amount of pollution.
A recent Chinese government report found that nearly 60% of the country’s underground water is polluted and undrinkable, and the U.S. Embassy reports that China is the world’s leading annual emitter of greenhouse gases and mercury. Both the country’s infamous smog problem and its polluted drinking water threaten Chinese citizens and damage the environment.
While, unfortunately, the pollution issues in China only continue to worsen, America’s situation is actually improving. The International Energy Agency found that energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in China increased by over 80% between 2005 and 2019, while the United States’ energy-related emissions dropped by over 15% during that same time.
America still has a long way to go when it comes to reducing pollution. But, when you buy things from the U.S., it’s a safe bet they were manufactured in a more environmentally friendly way than if they came from China.
You Get a Better Customer Experience
One of the primary complaints customers have when dealing with some foreign companies is a lack of quality customer service. It can be frustrating to wait on hold for long periods only to have trouble communicating with the representative because of a language barrier.
USA-based companies tend to offer better customer service. Our friendly Customer Service Team here at GeoGrit is trained to answer any and every question you may have and usually responds to inquiries within 24 hours.
Another issue customers face with foreign manufacturers is the risk of supply chain disruptions, which were made painfully apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supply chain disruptions can mean anything from delayed shipping times for customers to a lack of inventory in the states.
However, this problem is practically nonexistent with American manufacturers, since their products never have to cross an ocean to be distributed across the country.
Additionally, many U.S. companies offer lifetime guarantees on their products. Not to brag, but here at GeoGrit, we’re so confident you’ll like our products that we offer a lifetime warranty, AND we offer our customers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
It Displays Patriotism
Okay, this one is a “no, duh.” Buying products proudly made in the USA displays patriotism and shows your love for your country!
This may not seem like a very big deal, but it’s just as important as the rest of the items on our list. In today’s world, it’s important to hold true to your American pride and put your money where your mouth is when it comes to patriotism.
Not only does supporting American manufacturers benefit our country in all the ways listed above, but it also creates opportunities for you to educate others about the importance of buying American products.
Next time someone admires your new Ford truck or your GeoGrit Wallet, you can tell them it was proudly made in America and share the importance of supporting domestic manufacturers. (You can even share this article with them if you don’t have time to share ALL the great benefits of buying U.S. products).
Are Products Made in America More Expensive?
One of the main concerns people have about buying American products is that they are more expensive than foreign items. While this may be the case for some products, it’s certainly not the case for all.
USA-made products are often more expensive because U.S. companies must pay their employees higher wages and make sure they’re complying with federal regulations, unlike many factories in underdeveloped countries.
But don’t worry, buying American products doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, some factors may actually save you money. Because your item was built closer to home, you don’t have to worry about paying extra shipping to offset the cost of transporting your purchase overseas. Plus, you never have to worry about government trade tariffs affecting the cost of your goods.
Another factor to consider is that since American products are often crafted with higher-quality materials and are built to last, you shouldn’t have to worry about replacing them as often. The cost of one quality U.S. item is rarely more expensive than the cost of two cheaply-made Chinese products.
It’s also important to remember that while many foreign manufacturers may be able to offer lower prices, it’s often because they cut corners on employee wages, worker safety, and pollution control. American products may cost more, but you’re more likely to be supporting an ethical company with higher standards.
Summary
While we only have nine listed here, there are countless reasons why buying products made in America is a great idea. The economic and environmental benefits, quality of goods, and customer experience alone make the extra steps to seek out these products more than worth it.
Want an EDC with grit? You don't need more gear. You need better gear. Whether you're hitting the trail this weekend or grinding through another workday, you deserve equipment that can keep up. Explore our collection of adventure-grade everyday carry essentials built for the journey and designed to last a lifetime.