Stop buying Chinese goods
Why aren’t we upset at the imports from China with chemicals that are harmful to us and are killing our animals (i.e., in toothpaste and dog food)? If it were an issue with Mexico or Mexican nationals, oh! what a tragedy it would be.
Why aren’t these same people who are so bent on immigration not standing up and fighting against all the garbage being imported from China?
Even our American flag is made in China. God has given our nation the knowledge we need to produce these various items. I think it’s time we boycott imports and stop buying goods from China.
Robert Gurrola, Denver
If not a boycott, then trade tariffs and stricker regulations to insure some sort of quality compliance.
I live in Israel and there a great many Chinese imports. Most are shoddy quality, batteries that leak after a short time and or have varying life in the charge. Yes, even our flags are made there as well. Fake Crocs are the rage and list goes on.
China reminds of the quality of Japanese products before and a little after WW2...over time, they knew that to have long competition with the rest of the worl, they need to improve the quality of their products. In time, China will do the same...but at what cost.?
I turns out the Chinese minister in charge of health, etc was shot because of shoddy quality, kickbacks and the like. Of course, the Chinese govt is doing this to save face before the 2008 Olympics.
I agree to a large extent with Mr Gurrola.
it was some time in the middle ninties that China was made a 'most favorable' nation as a trade partner.
Posted by on July 20, 2007 04:08 AMI suggest you read "U.S. family tries living without China" at
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2425061320070628 to find out how hard it is to NOT buy Chinese goods. The article discusses a book called "A Year Without 'Made in China''" by a US famiIy who didn't buy Chinese goods for a year. China manipulates its currency to help make its goods cheaper, has import tariffs on foreign goods, and a lower cost of living - and until the COLA (and by extension the labor costs) catch up, US firms are offshoring jobs there.
How about boycotting those companies which import Chinese goods while excluding US manufacturers? (Remember when WalMart started its boom & Sam Walton proudly announced whenever possible he would have US made goods? I bet he is spinning in his grave.) How much extra are you willing to pay for goods (for instance, the cheapest sneakers the author of the book was able to buy for her son was $68 for Italian sneakers - from a catalog)?
Are you willing to write/call/email your representatives in Congress to DEMAND that if other countries, such as China, won't 'play fair' we need to use those countries tactics on imports?
I don't know what the answer is - I just know it isn't simple.
Posted by Mary on July 20, 2007 05:30 AMyour dislike of Wal-Mart is showing. why not mention target, k-mart and any other discount store?
Posted by on July 20, 2007 05:47 AMBlame the American companies that use the reduced cost of production system and the greed that drives it and, the corruption of the overseas companies. The country does not matter, it is true everywhere big business holds the keys to power and control.
Posted by Allen Campbell on July 20, 2007 06:55 AMJust try to boycott China. It's tough. It all comes down to corporate greed overruling any sense of loyalty to the USA.
Posted by Jay on July 20, 2007 07:22 AMRegarding consumer goods, China is where Japan was about 50 years ago when "made in Japan" was synonymous with "junk." Today, Japan sells many consumer products that are the top-of -the-line standard for the world. China has a lot of work to do, but they will get there too.
In the meantime, I love their low cost consumer goods that help keep prices, inflation and interest rates down. My income goes a lot further thanks to China. I also like the notion that China buys our bonds that also helps to keep our interest rates low and the cost of corporate capital down. That facilitates business expansion, new jobs, more household income and more consumption. Bottom line: our GDP benefits. In short, I'm a big fan of China and 100 million savy American consumers simply can't get enough of WalMart.
The current stock market boom reflects the global boom in finance, economics and international trade. Trade barriers, on the other hand, helped deliver the 1929 Depression. Let's not make that same disasterous mistake again.
Meanwhile, I intend to enjoy the resulting American economic boom, surging stocks, prosperity....and Chinese goods.
Posted by hank on July 20, 2007 07:43 AMWe desperately need cheap Chinese-made consumer goods. China is the only country with the cojones to promptly put a bullet into the brain stem of anyone so uppity as to demand decent pay and/or dignified and safe working conditions. Now normally, we in America would frown on such behavior, but since they pass the savings on to us, it's ok I guess....
Posted by Liam on July 20, 2007 08:16 AMWithin the next few years, look for the Chinese auto company, Cherry Automobile Inc., to introduce its inexpensive Dragon into US markets. Many models will follow.
Cherry recently reached an agreement with Chrysler to supply some vehicles that will be distributed through select Chrysler dealerships. And I wouldn't rule out some distribution through WalMart either. I can't speak for the quality of the early vehicles, but I expect China to follow the Japanese formula of always improving. And before you know it, Cherry will be a nameplate manufactured in Arkansas or Alabama, again following the model successfully established by Toyota, Volkswagen, Subaru, BMW, etc. etc.
How does the UAW fit into this picture? It fits in this way: U Ain't Workin'.
I just love globalization, free markets and American capitalism. DJIA 14000 and on its way to DJIA 18000! I simply can't get enough.
Posted by hank on July 20, 2007 08:45 AMOh, by the way, I fully support slave labor.
Posted by hank on July 20, 2007 08:52 AMGood luck in trying to boycott Chinese goods since the "Country of Origin" labeling law is not being enacted. China produces a lot of stuff, and thanks to the cowardice of our government, there is no way of knowing if what you buy was made in China. Even if the product says made in Mexico, India, or Canada, you better believe that the components were made in China.
I read an article where some guy traced the ingredients that go into a Twinkie. Unsurprisingly, many come from China including a petroleum derived chemical, ugh, which keeps the Twinkie fresh for so long. Remember that next time you want to eat a Twinkie.
Without caring to accept Hank's friendly offer to stir the compost pile, we do have to be concerned with the currency manipulation and other factors used by China to build their trade empire. I'm not saying that the availability of cheap products doesn't help our economy; but rather, that a fair trade base is necessary to achieve the lofty goals so eloquently put forth by Hank. One side can't control the manure pile without the other side getting buried in it.
The reason the United States—and Europe—is so forgiving of China's economic indiscretions is because they believe China will open its doors and allow its trading partners access to what could be the largest consumer base in the world. As a result, according to former assistant US Trade Representative Robert B. Cassidy, most American companies—and the US government—are "kowtowing to China" in spite of the fact that the Chinese continue to send adulterated, mislabeled and sometimes deadly foods, and counterfeits of some of America's best known brands, to the United States. But my guess is that it won't happen. China has no intention of becoming a genuine trading partner with the world. It is willing to tolerate intrusions by the West only because China needs the types of consumers that only the industrialized world—in particular, the United States, can supply. People with a lot of discretionary income and not much sense on how and why they spend it.
There are rumblings in Congress now -- coming from both sides of the aisle -- about the unbalance inherent in our China Trade Agreement. Part of the problem in dealing with those issues though is the massive lobbying dollars available from not only the Chinese, but also, from multinational American based companies who have move their production operations overseas.
Posted by darfor on July 20, 2007 10:42 AMRobert Gurrola: You unwittingly highlight the problem: "God has given our nation the knowledge;" however, 90% of America embraces the Jew sired "from the loins of David" who cast his ejaculate into the vagina of a 13-year-old Jewish girl in which the "fruit of the womb" is transmogrified into an anti-Semitic Christian God, and worse, a cookie-cutter god having many predecessors. Such a god, planning holy genocide to kick 6 billion people into a lake of fire cannot exist because no god can be that cruel.
America's motto: In God We Trust puts its trust in the wrong god which explains why America has lost two wars since it changed its motto: From Many Come One.
Perhaps a better motto: In God Some Of Us Trust. Do as the Deicide and slay the sadistic Jew from status as God.
Posted by Richard Grimes Deicide r22037@yahoo.com (ffrf and ask for free copy of FreeThought Today) on July 20, 2007 01:30 PMWe were lured into this condition by two things:the promise that China would buy from us, and the cheap prices.
In economic classes I heard that if you sell a $1.00 item to half the Chinese that is one and one half billion dollars.
That ain`t happening.
Posted by Sharon B. on July 20, 2007 01:46 PMAll the money we send to China for cheap goods will probably come back to us one day, from the barrel of a gun.
Posted by Jay on July 20, 2007 09:47 PMPeople will defend to the death the free market, but whine and cry when the free market starts to affect them negatively. There is a connection between the two: the free market, means the lowest bidder and if that means abusive or dangerous practices so be it. not make the connection between what low cost really entails. Low cost really entails sweatshops and potentially dangerous goods from places with such as China, were there is a lack of oversight.
Goods that were made under fair labor practices, especially in this country cost considerably more. How many people are willing to pay more for such?
Posted by on July 20, 2007 11:04 PM"China has no intention of becoming a genuine trading partner with the world."
That's an unbelievably uninformed observation, darfur. In reality, 1.3 billion wanabe consumers who are looking for work are making trade happen. And every inch of progress brings increasing democracy and transparency along with it that further accelerates the process. And China is gradually letting its currency move more freely, just look at a chart. Pegging their's to the $USD is slowly giving ground. Its happening right now.
China is building the equivalent of one Houston or Philadelphia per month (that's right, about every 30 days) and is under considerable pressure to facilitate the creation of many millions of new jobs per year--at a much faster pace than is required in the USA. Literally millions of Chinese are rapidly leaving their farms to 2st Century jobs in the cities that include commerce, trade, finance, science and industry. China's number #1 objective is to become a leading trading partner with the rest of the planet, they have no other alternative.
By 2040 (only 33 years), China's GDP will pass that of the USA and become the #1 economy on the planet. By 2050 they will be kissing the planet's first $50 trillion economy. You can't do that in a vacuum as darfur implies. Any trade barriers from our side, especially those favored by liberals and unionists, will only help prevent America from fully participating in the global economic and financial boom that has already spread to all over the planet. Any 1929-like head in the sand "Petaluma Solutions," will not be tolerated for very long in America.
A booming China, India, Russia, Brazil, Korea and Mexico is a win-win for the USA and the planet. Its irreversible and can't be stopped.
Posted by hank on July 21, 2007 11:36 AM
"In economic classes I heard that if you sell a $1.00 item to half the Chinese that is one and one half billion dollars.
That ain`t happening."
No, its not happening. For the 12-months ending May, our exports to China totaled $58.4 billion.
And by the way, you heard wrong in your econ class, or flunked first grade arithmetic. Possibly both. $1 sold to one-half billion (rounding to keep it manageble for you) folks can not ever equal $1.5 billion. That ain't happening now nor will it ever happen--it can't. I will, however, give you a clue...the correct answer is more than $1 but less than $1 billion.
Posted by hank on July 21, 2007 01:46 PM
You cut and paste the globalist propaganda real good there, Mr. Hank. Perhaps rather than read just pro wide open globalization advocates you might try adding some studies which are calling for moderation or recalculation of trade agreements.
The global economy is here to stay and can benefit the global community as a whole if there is a level playing field. Like any game or competitive endeavor a balance providing a level playing field must be maintained in international trading.
One such study to get you started (it'll lead you to other studies if you are open minded) is "The Establishment Rethinks Globalization" by William Greider; The Nation, April 30, 2007. Many of the major investment banking firms have also put out cautionary studies in this arena.
And while your grand announcement of our exports for a 12 month period ($58.4 mm) is observed, you fail to compare that with the imports from China for the same period. Are you neglecting to show a gigantic deficit in order to support your cut and paste positions?
Posted by carl on July 21, 2007 02:55 PMI would hardly view The Nation, a well known socialist propaganda rag with a small readership, as a reliable source on anything that is not pro Karl Marx. Or is that Carl Marx?
I noticed that you appear to be totally intimidated by my command of the subject while you offer absolutely nothing. That's zero, nada, zilch and 0 for you, The Nation reader, as I seem to have all the marbles in this debate. But I wouldn't expect anything more from displaced communist or socialist afraid of the 21st Century .
May I suggest that you pick up a copy of Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations. " Although now 231 years old, its message apparently not reached the likes of you and other readers of The Nation. And for your information, all the world-class investment banking firms (outside of Havana) favor and support globalization, capitalism, trade and free markets. None have anything good to say about your 1929-like protectionism and trade barriers, recognizing that there are no (nor will their ever be) level playing fields on this planet.
May I ask to what union do you belong? Your message seems to be so throughly failed and obsolete, so yesterday, so stale and so Karl Marx. Or is that Carl Marx?
Posted by hank on July 21, 2007 03:49 PMHank if the Chinese are 3 billion and half of that is 1.5 billion and you sell each (one half) a 1.00 item isn`t that 1.5 billion?
I should have said they told up that selling a dollar item to every Chinese person would give us 3 billion dollars.
Still, Mr. Sweetness, that isn`t happening either.
Was it necessary for you to be so nasty? Not only did I not fail math but I got an A in College statistics and will match your math any day.
Posted by Sharon B. on July 21, 2007 04:08 PMSo, the bottom line is that you haven't read Smith's "The Wealth of Nations," that you know nothing about free trade, globalization, capitalism, the global economic boom and that you are an avid reader of The Nation. Wow, I'm truly impressed with your credentials on this subject.
Congrats, you convinced me. But we still don't know where you teach or to what union you belong. Very impressive...but not suprising.
Posted by hank on July 21, 2007 04:57 PMHank, waiting for your acknowledgement that my math was right. ....waiting......eyelids getting heavy.....nodding off....
Now was that managable enough for you?
Posted by Sharon B. on July 21, 2007 05:10 PMActually, Hank, I have read the Wealth of Nations. I don't read the Nation, I only found a reference to Greider's article to provide to you. I read the paper in a different venue that is not in general circulation.
Nor do I belong to a union. I hold a senior management position with a multinational corporation which is involved in extensive international production and trade. My undergraduate degree is in Economics from Stanford. My MBA is from Wharton.
The fact that you offhandedly dismiss work which is not among your approved sources, meaning they support your thesis is very indicative narrow mindedness. People of that ilk are generally a true detriment to successful business operations.
The global economy is here and it is dynamic. But like any powerful engine of conveyance, it must have controls in place to maximize the efficiency of its power. Run away power is not only underutilized power, it is destructive.
Posted by carl on July 21, 2007 05:14 PMWant to hear a good one? A friend of mine said his company had outsourced much of its' manufacturing to Mexico. Their new production facility was gearing up to open when they announced it would not open - they had outsourced it again to China. It was much cheaper!
This is the new global market at work. It won't be changing much in the future. Get used to it. Meanwhile, we here in the U.S. should get busy doing what we do best - innovating new products and technologies.
Posted by RU Serious on July 21, 2007 05:49 PM