Thomas Jefferson: Buy American
on Friday, January 3, 2020Thomas Jefferson Money Quote saying that he was a very early proponent of ‘Buy American’ with a resolution to avoid foreign purchases. Thomas Jefferson said:
“I have come to a resolution myself as I hope every good citizen will, never again to purchase any article of foreign manufacture which can be had of American make, be the difference of price what it may” — Thomas Jefferson
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In this quote, Thomas Jefferson is advocating for buying American-made products over foreign imports, even if the American products are more expensive. He states that he has decided as a “good citizen” to never again purchase any foreign-made item that has an equivalent American-made option available.
Jefferson is essentially promoting a form of economic nationalism and protectionism by encouraging consumers to prioritize buying domestic goods to support American industries and jobs. His view is that this is an important civic duty, regardless of any potential price difference compared to imported alternatives.
The quote reflects Jefferson’s belief that citizens should be willing to pay a higher price, or absorb a “difference of price”, for American goods in order to strengthen the national economy and self-sufficiency by keeping manufacturing and trade dollars within the domestic market. He sees buying American as a patriotic act of good citizenship.