What does manufacturing as a percent of GDP have to do with anything?

Case in point: You'd be pretty silly to think that the US isn't an agricultural powerhouse. However, only 2% of the US is employed in that industry which contributes 0.9% of GDP. However, it has one of the highest outputs in the world - and perhaps the highest per worker.

Another point: The US' manufacturing value is so high because it builds expensive goods. There is more innovation occurring with jet engines and airplanes than textiles.