PAUL WISEMAN
AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross suggested Thursday that the viral outbreak in China might offer an unexpected benefit for the U.S. economy: It could encourage American manufacturers in China to return to the United States.
"I think it will help to accelerate the return of jobs to North America. Some to U.S., probably some to Mexico as well,'' Ross told Fox Business Network.
The new virus, from the coronavirus family, has paralyzed business in China. The industrial hub of Wuhan and other Chinese cities are on lockdown. China has reported more than 7,700 cases and 170 deaths.
The crisis has also begun to ripple through U.S. companies with operations in China. Apple CEO Tim Cook has said that the company's suppliers in China have been
