The internet and technology boom made it seem worthwhile to get rid of polluting industry in a time when emissions were seen as a big deal and provide the public with cheaper consumer goods. It was assumed that the new businesses created in the boom would be superior than the lost factory jobs in pay, work environment, and benefits to the country. I don't think the entire world assumed that China would gain a near monopoly on manufacturing most goods or continue to manipulate their currency for as long as they have. This country still produces more net manufactured goods than ever before, but the percentage of production per capita and as part of the GDP has gone way down.