BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: folk1e
Date: 21 Sep 08 - 04:34 PM

It's too late .... we're doomed, I say DOOMED!

Unless of course we refuse to buy just one product made in China.

Why?

Because the cumulative effect would push that business stream into liquidation! Exactly the same way the financial market works with "short selling".

Come the glorious day brothers! Power to the people (but not the Chinese people, obviously)

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: Bert
Date: 21 Sep 08 - 11:42 PM

When you go into a store ASK!!! Do you have any "made in the USA".

You'll get a lot of funny looks, especially in Home Depot, If they say NO, then ASK!!! do you know of a good hardware(Or grocery, or whatever) store.

You won't get what you want but it is fun just looking at their faces when they can't give you an answer.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: Ebbie
Date: 22 Sep 08 - 12:19 AM

Doesn't sound like that small a deal.

"24 minutes ago

BEIJING - }The number of children in China sickened by dairy products tainted with the banned industrial chemical melamine has jumped to nearly 53,000, the government said Sunday as it vowed to crack down on those responsible for one of China's worst food safety scandals in years.

"More than 80 percent of the 12,892 children hospitalized in recent weeks were 2 years old or younger, the Health Ministry said in a statement posted on its Web site late Sunday. Four children have died and 104 of the hospitalized children are in serious condition.

"Another 39,965 children received outpatient treatment at hospitals and were considered "basically recovered," the ministry said."

Why DO We Allow Imports of Chinese Goods?

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Sep 08 - 09:22 AM

It appears that Chinese officials have known abbout this for a while but kept it quiet until after the Olympics. Are politicians everywhere sleazy? Or is that a question for another thread?

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: Maryrrf
Date: 22 Sep 08 - 10:45 AM

I work for a food importing company that imports from China, as well as India, Vietnam, Brazil, Malaysia, Thailand and a few other countries. Most of the items we import (such as cashews, pumpkinseeds, pine nuts, etc.) either aren't produced in the US or are not produced in sufficient volume for the domestic market - so they would have to be imported whatever the case if we want to consume them. It's an oversimplification to just single out all Chinese imports as 'bad'. There are excellent suppliers in China who are truly concerned about delivering quality products, as there are in the other countries I mentioned. There are also very low quality suppliers who are not concerned with quality, only with keeping their costs as low as possible and that can mean compromising safety, cleanliness, fair treatment for workers, etc.

But - guess which shippers are supported by most of the American importing community. It's the companies with the lowest prices that get the business, low prices made possible by low quality, lax safety standards, poor worker treatment.... A rough average difference between a top cashew shipper and a questionable shipper would be around $.10 per lb. Most of our customers won't pay that difference. They won't even pay a $.04 difference. The lowest priced supplier gets the business. And in many cases the buyer will throw out a low bid, and in order to get that business the supplier has to squeeze even more to make it work - most likely compromising the quality even more. We try to persuade customers that it's better to receive good quality from the get go than deal with the infestation, breakage, etc. that can result from poor facilities at origin (not to mention the fact that exploited child or prison labor may have been used) but I can assure you it is a hard sell. Quality doesn't sell. Cheap sells.

In order to differentiate between the shippers we set up a not for profit organization to inspect and certify facilities, which also offers a tracking system so the product can be traced from origin to consumer shelf. There is a $.04 upcharge for the inspection and tracking. We also donate a portion of the profits to an organization called Children, Inc. , an organization that has the infrastructure to fund programs for children whose families are employed in the cashew industry. Very few companies are interested - they don't want to pay the $.04 that it would cost to inspect and track. Here's a link to our program www.cashewconcern.com . One company that came aboard immediately is Feridies . When we showed them the pictures of high quality cashew facilites vs the cheap ones, they signed up immediately. This is a small family company that cares.   Keep them in mind if you order nuts for the holidays, and drop them a line to let them know that you appreciate someone with a social conscience and attention to quality.

We can't just point the finger at China - we must look at our own complicity in what is being imported. By "our own complicity" I'm talking about American businesses. Importers need to monitor the facilities they are importing from, and it may cost a little extra. I know that's hard to take in this economy, but frankly it's a little more expensive to maintain a clean, safety oriented facility with decently paid workers than to just provide a huge open courtyard where underpaid and often underaged workers sit on the floor and shell nuts next to a garbage dump. The only way to change things is for consumers to start demanding accountability and traceability.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: Maryrrf
Date: 22 Sep 08 - 11:19 AM

Oops, looks like some of those links don't work. Maybe a Joe Clone ca fix? Children Inc.
Cashew Concern

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: Stringsinger
Date: 22 Sep 08 - 11:22 AM

Let's face it. China owns us.

Walmart is the pusher.


Keep buying cheap stuff there and you support these imports.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: SINSULL
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 11:18 AM

And today in the news is the observation that China's recent milk adulteration problems may slow down approval of meat imports to the US. Do you think?????

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 01:41 PM

No! That can't be! It would be too rational.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 07:18 AM

Well, big surprise...Chinese candy is being pulled off the shelves here in the states and in the UK. I wonder if terrorists are watching this scenario? Wipe out whole cities by fooling subtly with the food supply chain.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: Gurney
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 05:43 PM

In NZ too, a milk-based candy, available in chinese speciality shops.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: JennieG
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 08:12 PM

Ditto here in Oz.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: Gurney
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 04:17 AM

White Rabbit Candy, that's the stuff, enriched with Melamine.   One enthusiastic customer here has a kidney stone he's suspicious about.


Stone from plastic?

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: meself
Date: 26 Sep 08 - 10:51 AM

Thank you, Maryrrf, for a worthwhile post.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 09:20 AM

Melamine has now been found in eggs which leads to suspicions that animal feed was contaminated and the entire Chinese food chain affected:
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i5QTX5JAwjbEV-o9P3l4joswpJWA

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 09:25 AM

We import meat, poultry and other animal foods as well as grain, seafood, etc.
http://www.flex-news-food.com/pages/16475/China/Export/Food/USA/chinese-food-exports-us-top-us$4-billion-2007.html

Reading the labels won't help. The source of an ingredient is not always declared.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: MaineDog
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 10:08 AM

Because we have given them the store: that's all thats left.
MD

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 01:22 PM

Just remember, it was trying to exclude Japan from trade markets, and thereby stifling her economy, that led to Pearl Harbour.

And the rest is history.

If we don't learn from our mistakes, we are doomed to repeat them.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do we allow imports of Chinese goods
From: Cluin
Date: 28 Oct 08 - 01:36 PM

Trouble is, the next generation always has to relearn the same lessons.