if you look at the quantitative reports on trade, you will quickly see that high tech is massive, but not the only category to have that title. You are arguing a perceived difference without quantitative grounding. In other words, the mind-share of tech is massive, and that certainly is part of the political gridlock here.

Yes, we also make money via agriculture although often times it's really just contaminating our environment for short-term profits (almond growers in california). We also have a vibrant manufacturing sector, although most of it is in high-end costly items because we can't compete on price for the cheapest items. We also have a huge health sector which is based mainly around rent-seeking rather than quality of care, and its main contribution seems to be causing medical bankruptcies.

Nor did I ever imply these other industries didn't exist. It's just that they aren't our lifeline to viability long-term because many countries could produce the food and physical products we can, but don't have the infrastructure to support high tech companies.