美國正面對有史以來最具挑戰(zhàn)性的健康和經(jīng)濟(jì)困境,而國會正在醞釀新一輪的刺激方案。如果議員們希望重燃經(jīng)濟(jì)、迅速創(chuàng)造眾多工作崗位,并為最廣泛的美國人謀求最大的福利,那么一個較為明確的方式就是投資基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施。
此舉還有額外的好處,它可以通過擴(kuò)大美國的能力、創(chuàng)造就業(yè)崗位,以及為其他國家提供打造和購買美國產(chǎn)品的機(jī)會,讓美國經(jīng)濟(jì)在全球范圍內(nèi)更具競爭力。如果議員們有意幫助美國民眾,那么美國就應(yīng)該采取措施,為社會和經(jīng)濟(jì)提供重要的工作崗位和持續(xù)的福利。美國應(yīng)該做一些所有人都認(rèn)為該做的事情,而不是相互踢皮球,沒完沒了地拖延下去。
雖然現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)進(jìn)入了大選年的8月,但疫情后的刺激方案不應(yīng)該拖到明年春天才公布。大多數(shù)政治領(lǐng)袖都認(rèn)為,美國需要通過投資基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施來刺激經(jīng)濟(jì),并創(chuàng)造更多的工作。美國真的不能讓政治季成為絆腳石,因?yàn)閮牲h都認(rèn)為此舉對美國的現(xiàn)在和未來無比重要。
有鑒于美國失業(yè)人數(shù)已經(jīng)達(dá)到了數(shù)千萬而且他們也都需要工作,美國得采取從長遠(yuǎn)來看能夠真正為國家節(jié)省資金的舉措。美國土木工程協(xié)會稱,“基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施低效問題”每年給美國家庭帶來的平均成本為3400美元,這個數(shù)字到2026年之前會增至5100美元/年。
在美國政府考慮其新一輪刺激方案之際,優(yōu)先考慮基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施投資是一個不錯的選擇,此舉能夠帶來工作崗位、擴(kuò)張美國的制造業(yè)、提升運(yùn)輸效率,并帶來更好的安全性。此外,基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施開支擁有巨大的乘數(shù)效應(yīng)。舊金山聯(lián)邦儲備銀行預(yù)計(jì),基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施領(lǐng)域每投入的1美元會為經(jīng)濟(jì)帶來2美元的產(chǎn)出。此外,一家經(jīng)濟(jì)政策研究所的研究發(fā)現(xiàn),每1000億美元的基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施投資將創(chuàng)造約100萬個全職工作崗位,美國可以想象一下這個數(shù)字對疲軟就業(yè)現(xiàn)狀的意義。
國會研究服務(wù)對基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施投資乘數(shù)效應(yīng)進(jìn)行了解釋:“隨著政府聘用承包商完成新基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施項(xiàng)目,承包商聘請的雇員和供應(yīng)商也將獲得額外的收入,而且至少有可能會花一部分錢購買其他企業(yè)提供的產(chǎn)品和服務(wù)。資金首先從政府流向承包商,然后到雇員和供應(yīng)商手中。相對于政府最初的開支方案,這種連續(xù)流動可能會給GDP帶來更大的提振作用?!?/font>
如果要走出新冠疫情的空前影響,在短期內(nèi)再次興盛,以及防范未來意料之外的事件,最佳的長期策略莫過于通過實(shí)施有力的舉措來塑造美國經(jīng)濟(jì)。新冠病毒已經(jīng)迫使美國重新評估美國處理意料之外事件的能力,并認(rèn)真審視社會功能和流程的效率問題。在確保美國經(jīng)濟(jì)擁有足夠的韌性來應(yīng)對未來挑戰(zhàn)的行動舉措清單中,實(shí)現(xiàn)美國基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施的現(xiàn)代化應(yīng)該排在或靠近首位。
美國大多數(shù)基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施都修建于羅斯福新政和二戰(zhàn)后的那段時期,而且已經(jīng)遠(yuǎn)超其預(yù)期的服役周期。整個世界已經(jīng)變得越發(fā)互聯(lián),而且科技發(fā)展日新月異,但美國與之相匹配的現(xiàn)代化基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施已經(jīng)遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)落后于眾多其他主要經(jīng)濟(jì)體。聯(lián)邦、州和當(dāng)?shù)卣哪甓然A(chǔ)設(shè)施投資在上個世紀(jì)30年代末占GDP的4.2%,如今已降至GDP的約1.5%。
作為全球頂級經(jīng)濟(jì)大國,美國利用自身實(shí)力,打造與自身地位相匹配的基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施的時候到了。
美國需要升級自己的道路、橋梁和公共交通系統(tǒng),并實(shí)現(xiàn)電信和連接性的現(xiàn)代化,從而在這個相互依賴的全球經(jīng)濟(jì)中保持自身的競爭力。當(dāng)然,作為現(xiàn)代世界基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施(包括交通系統(tǒng)、住房、制造、農(nóng)業(yè)或能源)的關(guān)鍵組件,鋼鐵行業(yè)可能會受益于這場基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施投資。
不過,基建的需求不僅僅是能無限循環(huán)利用的鋼鐵,因?yàn)樗P(guān)乎重建和重振美國的一系列行業(yè)和機(jī)會。如果美國可以為此專門劃撥資源,并精簡政府法規(guī),同時將環(huán)保理念放在首位,那么這些項(xiàng)目便能夠滿足美國當(dāng)前以及未來數(shù)代人的需求。
除了對美國民眾生活進(jìn)行亟需的升級之外,這些項(xiàng)目還將催生數(shù)千個項(xiàng)目,繼而在未來數(shù)年內(nèi)推動美國經(jīng)濟(jì)實(shí)現(xiàn)內(nèi)需拉動型有機(jī)增長。
現(xiàn)在出臺基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施投資決議可謂是恰逢其時。關(guān)鍵的一點(diǎn)在于,當(dāng)選的諸多領(lǐng)袖如今應(yīng)該通力合作,重塑美國的基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施,繼而為未來經(jīng)濟(jì)增長提供助力。(財(cái)富中文網(wǎng))
大衛(wèi)·伯里特是美國鋼鐵公司的總裁兼首席執(zhí)行官。
譯者:Feb
美國正面對有史以來最具挑戰(zhàn)性的健康和經(jīng)濟(jì)困境,而國會正在醞釀新一輪的刺激方案。如果議員們希望重燃經(jīng)濟(jì)、迅速創(chuàng)造眾多工作崗位,并為最廣泛的美國人謀求最大的福利,那么一個較為明確的方式就是投資基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施。
此舉還有額外的好處,它可以通過擴(kuò)大美國的能力、創(chuàng)造就業(yè)崗位,以及為其他國家提供打造和購買美國產(chǎn)品的機(jī)會,讓美國經(jīng)濟(jì)在全球范圍內(nèi)更具競爭力。如果議員們有意幫助美國民眾,那么美國就應(yīng)該采取措施,為社會和經(jīng)濟(jì)提供重要的工作崗位和持續(xù)的福利。美國應(yīng)該做一些所有人都認(rèn)為該做的事情,而不是相互踢皮球,沒完沒了地拖延下去。
雖然現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)進(jìn)入了大選年的8月,但疫情后的刺激方案不應(yīng)該拖到明年春天才公布。大多數(shù)政治領(lǐng)袖都認(rèn)為,美國需要通過投資基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施來刺激經(jīng)濟(jì),并創(chuàng)造更多的工作。美國真的不能讓政治季成為絆腳石,因?yàn)閮牲h都認(rèn)為此舉對美國的現(xiàn)在和未來無比重要。
有鑒于美國失業(yè)人數(shù)已經(jīng)達(dá)到了數(shù)千萬而且他們也都需要工作,美國得采取從長遠(yuǎn)來看能夠真正為國家節(jié)省資金的舉措。美國土木工程協(xié)會稱,“基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施低效問題”每年給美國家庭帶來的平均成本為3400美元,這個數(shù)字到2026年之前會增至5100美元/年。
在美國政府考慮其新一輪刺激方案之際,優(yōu)先考慮基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施投資是一個不錯的選擇,此舉能夠帶來工作崗位、擴(kuò)張美國的制造業(yè)、提升運(yùn)輸效率,并帶來更好的安全性。此外,基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施開支擁有巨大的乘數(shù)效應(yīng)。舊金山聯(lián)邦儲備銀行預(yù)計(jì),基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施領(lǐng)域每投入的1美元會為經(jīng)濟(jì)帶來2美元的產(chǎn)出。此外,一家經(jīng)濟(jì)政策研究所的研究發(fā)現(xiàn),每1000億美元的基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施投資將創(chuàng)造約100萬個全職工作崗位,美國可以想象一下這個數(shù)字對疲軟就業(yè)現(xiàn)狀的意義。
國會研究服務(wù)對基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施投資乘數(shù)效應(yīng)進(jìn)行了解釋:“隨著政府聘用承包商完成新基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施項(xiàng)目,承包商聘請的雇員和供應(yīng)商也將獲得額外的收入,而且至少有可能會花一部分錢購買其他企業(yè)提供的產(chǎn)品和服務(wù)。資金首先從政府流向承包商,然后到雇員和供應(yīng)商手中。相對于政府最初的開支方案,這種連續(xù)流動可能會給GDP帶來更大的提振作用。”
如果要走出新冠疫情的空前影響,在短期內(nèi)再次興盛,以及防范未來意料之外的事件,最佳的長期策略莫過于通過實(shí)施有力的舉措來塑造美國經(jīng)濟(jì)。新冠病毒已經(jīng)迫使美國重新評估美國處理意料之外事件的能力,并認(rèn)真審視社會功能和流程的效率問題。在確保美國經(jīng)濟(jì)擁有足夠的韌性來應(yīng)對未來挑戰(zhàn)的行動舉措清單中,實(shí)現(xiàn)美國基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施的現(xiàn)代化應(yīng)該排在或靠近首位。
美國大多數(shù)基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施都修建于羅斯福新政和二戰(zhàn)后的那段時期,而且已經(jīng)遠(yuǎn)超其預(yù)期的服役周期。整個世界已經(jīng)變得越發(fā)互聯(lián),而且科技發(fā)展日新月異,但美國與之相匹配的現(xiàn)代化基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施已經(jīng)遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)落后于眾多其他主要經(jīng)濟(jì)體。聯(lián)邦、州和當(dāng)?shù)卣哪甓然A(chǔ)設(shè)施投資在上個世紀(jì)30年代末占GDP的4.2%,如今已降至GDP的約1.5%。
作為全球頂級經(jīng)濟(jì)大國,美國利用自身實(shí)力,打造與自身地位相匹配的基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施的時候到了。
美國需要升級自己的道路、橋梁和公共交通系統(tǒng),并實(shí)現(xiàn)電信和連接性的現(xiàn)代化,從而在這個相互依賴的全球經(jīng)濟(jì)中保持自身的競爭力。當(dāng)然,作為現(xiàn)代世界基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施(包括交通系統(tǒng)、住房、制造、農(nóng)業(yè)或能源)的關(guān)鍵組件,鋼鐵行業(yè)可能會受益于這場基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施投資。
不過,基建的需求不僅僅是能無限循環(huán)利用的鋼鐵,因?yàn)樗P(guān)乎重建和重振美國的一系列行業(yè)和機(jī)會。如果美國可以為此專門劃撥資源,并精簡政府法規(guī),同時將環(huán)保理念放在首位,那么這些項(xiàng)目便能夠滿足美國當(dāng)前以及未來數(shù)代人的需求。
除了對美國民眾生活進(jìn)行亟需的升級之外,這些項(xiàng)目還將催生數(shù)千個項(xiàng)目,繼而在未來數(shù)年內(nèi)推動美國經(jīng)濟(jì)實(shí)現(xiàn)內(nèi)需拉動型有機(jī)增長。
現(xiàn)在出臺基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施投資決議可謂是恰逢其時。關(guān)鍵的一點(diǎn)在于,當(dāng)選的諸多領(lǐng)袖如今應(yīng)該通力合作,重塑美國的基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施,繼而為未來經(jīng)濟(jì)增長提供助力。(財(cái)富中文網(wǎng))
大衛(wèi)·伯里特是美國鋼鐵公司的總裁兼首席執(zhí)行官。
譯者:Feb
We are fighting some of the most challenging health and economic circumstances in our nation’s history and Congress is weighing the next stimulus. If lawmakers want to spark the economy, quickly create many jobs, and do the most good for the greatest number of Americans, there’s one clear answer: infrastructure investment.
This will have the additional benefit of making our economy more competitive globally by expanding U.S. capabilities, creating jobs, and providing opportunities for other nations to build and buy American products. If we are going to help the American people, let’s do it in a way that provides crucial jobs and lasting benefits to our society and economy. Let’s do something that we all know is needed and not kick the can down the road for another 12 months or 12 years.
Yes, it’s August in an election year, but a post-pandemic stimulus shouldn’t wait until next spring. Most political leaders agree that we need to invest in infrastructure to goose the economy and create more jobs. We simply cannot let the political season interfere when both parties agree that it would be incredibly valuable to the country now and in the future.
With tens of millions of Americans out of work and in need of jobs, let’s take an approach that actually saves us money in the long term. According to the American Society for Civil Engineers, “infrastructure deficiencies” cost each U.S. household an average of $3,400 every year, a number that will rise to $5,100 annually by 2026.
As Washington considers its next stimulus, it would do well to prioritize infrastructure investment—providing an infusion of jobs, expanded American manufacturing, more efficient transportation, and better safety. In addition, spending on infrastructure has a significant multiplier effect. A study by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco estimates that every dollar of infrastructure spending produces $2 for the economy, and an Economic Policy Institute study found that each $100 billion in infrastructure spending will create about 1 million full-time jobs. Imagine what that would do for our flagging employment.
The Congressional Research Service explains the multiplier effect of infrastructure spending: “As the government hires contractors to complete new infrastructure projects, the employees and suppliers utilized by the contractors now have additional money as well, and will likely spend at least some of it on goods and services provided by other businesses. The successive flow of funds, first from the government to contractors, then to employees and suppliers, may result in a larger GDP increase than the original spending by the government.”
Strong action to build the U.S. economy is the best long-term strategy to recover from the unprecedented effects of COVID-19, prosper in the near term, and prepare for unforeseen events of the future. The coronavirus has forced us to reassess our ability to handle unexpected events and take a hard look at the efficiency of societal functions and processes. Modernizing U.S. infrastructure ranks at or near the top of the list of actions needed to ensure our economy is resilient enough to adapt to future challenges.
Much of the nation’s infrastructure was built during the New Deal and post-World War II eras and has far exceeded its planned lifecycle. The U.S. lags well behind many other global economic powers in terms of modernized infrastructure to match the increasingly interconnected and technologically advanced world. Annual infrastructure investment by federal, state, and local governments, which was 4.2% of GDP in the late 1930s, has fallen to about 1.5% of GDP.
As the world’s top economy, it’s time to leverage American strength to build infrastructure commensurate with our position.
We need to upgrade our roads, bridges, and mass transit systems, as well as modernize telecommunications and connectivity in order to stay competitive in an interdependent, worldwide economy. Of course, as a vital component of the modern world’s infrastructure—whether in transport systems, housing, manufacturing, agriculture, or energy—the steel industry may benefit from infrastructure spending.
But this is bigger than the need for infinitely recyclable steel; it’s about rebuilding and revitalizing a host of industries and opportunities in America. If we can dedicate resources and streamline government regulations while prioritizing environmental protection, the projects can serve the needs we have today and those of future generations.
In addition to a much-needed upgrade in the lives of Americans, these projects would fuel years of organic, home-grown economic growth through thousands of projects.
There is no better time to do an infrastructure bill. It’s critical that our elected leaders work together now to restore our nation’s infrastructure and help power our future economic growth.
David B. Burritt is president and CEO of United States Steel Corporation.