Is it true that companies "can't afford" to build things in the U.S. ?

Nov. 13, 2016

NPR is interviewing someone who is claiming that companies have moved to other countries because they "can't afford" to build things here. Wages for the working class have fallen, relative to inflation. Executive pay has ballooned. Why is it that companies could afford to build here when the workers salaries were higher, but can't do it now.

It would be fair to note that once one company relocates to a place where they can pay very little, they can lower their prices, and other companies have to follow suit to compete. I would also note that in the past, products were better made, worked better, lasted much longer.