> The US doesn't actually do anything with natural resources anymore, we don't make things like steel or plastic etc anymore, or rather, we don't "add value" to natural resources. Instead, with a strong dollar, we let others add the value and (import) buy their finished goods. The few things that we do make become more expensive to others, so our exports decrease. Domestically, there are fewer "manufacturing" jobs.

US manufacturing still makes plenty of stuff: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-manufacturing-dead-outpu...