Many Americans said their lives were good when there was no Chinese goods. But things changed.
1, The global GDP scale is much bigger than 30 years ago. Today's multi times scale of products output makes raw materials much more expensive than 30 years ago. Without made-in-China, US middle class can not sustain today's living standard.
2, US social structure changed drastically. Few rich people control much more social fortune now. Which means big part of US middle class would disappear without China.
3, US labors working ethnic has changed. They are spoiled compared to 30 years ago. American students are keen on lawyer, doctor, financial professions. US can never go back to the biggest manufacture power again. Because few people are willing to work in factories.
4, Now China is already there. When a new power emerges, it changes everything. You can not go back to the time when the variable didn't exist.