According to a report by Boston Consulting Group, the US has shot up the ranks of manufacturing competitiveness, while Brazil has foundered badly. The report ranks the world's 25 biggest exporters of manufactured goods in terms of direct costs of production -- factoring in wages, productivity, and electricity and natural gas. The 10 biggest exporters account for about 70% of global manufactured exports -- and are therefore destinations of choice for most companies locating new plants. Despite its No. 2 ranking, the US runs a huge trade deficit in manufactured goods.