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That’s just it though - engineers are being disincentivized to remain in engineering, at a cost to the well-being of the field. A simple case of a pursuit for greater self-interest leading to a negative externality for the country. This problem is way more prevalent in regards to the sciences in that we need a solution immediately, but engineering is undergoing a similar decay at the expense of just about everyone.
At least the solution is relatively obvious: encourage manufacturers to stay in the country, with either subsidies or tariffs and taxes. Maybe restructure the H-1B system in a way that doesn’t harm local workers as well. The problems in the field of science are deep structural deficiencies that make people dependent on the ever-capricious field of Washington politics and probably won’t be fixed for years.</p>