NPR.

When it comes to Made in America, we actually make a lot of cars and trucks here, like the Ford F-150, the Tesla Model 3.

And the Honda Accord, the Toyota Camry, the Volkswagen Atlas.

Now, that might not sound right, but it's true.

These Japanese and German automakers set up shop here in the U.S. a few decades ago.

Foreign carmakers like Toyota and Mercedes have actually opened more than 20 factories in the U.S. over the last

45 years. Yeah, and the reason many of those plants opened up in the U.S. in the first place

is not because of free trade, or at least not free trade alone. They came to America because

of a trade war that happened more than 40 years ago.

This is the indicator from Planet Money.

I'm Waylon Wong here with friend of the show, Stephen Besaha, from the Gulf States Newsroom.

Good to be with you, Whelan.

And on today's show, President Donald Trump wants more products made in America.

40 years ago, a different trade war made that happen.

So we're going back in time to learn about how that trade war played a key part in bringing foreign car plans to the U.S.

And why that's probably not going to happen this time.

And where we're going, we don't need roads.

D-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-ta-ta-ta.

Perfect rendition.

I love that movie.

So good.

Let us zoom back to the 70s.

...