Fed allowed USD to get so strong that manufacturers are negatively affected
Government Influence
The U.S. government has various tools to influence the U.S. dollar exchange rate against foreign currencies. An independent arm of the government is the nation’s central bank, the Federal Reserve. It indirectly changes exchange rates when it raises or lowers the fed funds rate.
For example, if it lowers the rate, that drives down interest rates throughout the U.S. banking system. It also reduces the supply of money. Both of these results make the dollar stronger relative to other currencies. That’s because U.S. dollar-denominated credit has become more expensive. At the same time, dollar-denominated assets generate a higher return. Both create more demand for the dollar, while taking it out of circulation. The laws of demand and supply tell you that less supply and more demand drives up the price.
When that happens to the dollar, it can purchase more foreign currency on forex markets.