Hot off the press - AGY related media, page-146

Unfortunately the USA has always suffered from acting too late.
When they get the message they can gear up and produce better than anyone in the world, but they have always been blind to the real world too parochial, which has allowed the rest of the world to get a head start and leave them in the dirt.

Back when pollution controls were being introduced on cars they gave the local manufacturers (I think 8 years ) to get up to speed, the next years production from Japan were all compliant with the rules and at the end of eight years the USA industry asked for more time, they have never caught up.