Posted on 10/11/2009 9:37:58 AM PDT by BGHater
The new World Trade Center, now under construction, is often considered a symbol of American enterprise. But to some union members and U.S. businesses, it represents what's wrong with the nation's economy.
The contract to manufacture the blast-resistant glass wrapping the main tower's first 20 stories was awarded earlier this year to a Chinese firm that underbid U.S. competitors.
Now the trade tensions between the United States and China that have arisen recently over tires, steel and paper are spreading to glass.
"This new tower is going to be made out of subsidized Chinese glass, putting factory workers out of their jobs in America," said Scott Paul, director of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, a partnership of the United Steelworkers and some manufacturers.
On Thursday, the Alliance sent a letter to U.S. trade officials asking that they address what they see as unfair trade practices. Specifically, the group says that the Chinese government spends billions of dollars subsidizing the glass industry's energy costs.
"Our domestic glass industry is the most efficient in the world, but it cannot compete against production that is heavily subsidized by the Chinese government," according to the letter. "As a result, glass production in the U.S. has suffered in recent years, with plant closings and thousands of lost jobs throughout the country."
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke are slated for trade meetings in Hangzhou, China, later this month.
A Chinese spokesman on trade issues did not respond to requests for comment.
The U.S. glass industry has lost more than 40,000 jobs since 2000, according to Department of Labor figures, even as the Chinese glass industry has experienced explosive growth. Between 2000 and 2008, U.S. imports of Chinese glass have tripled.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I am for autarky to the greatest degree possible. I think that the United States should have a “strategic industries list” comprised of those industries necessary for the survival of the nation. We should for example be 100% self-sufficient in energy/POL production, basic foodstuffs, heavy industries (e.g. steel production, weapon, ship, electronics and aerospace production, construction materials, lumber, cement, etc.), and raw materials for these industries. The government should protect these industries by tariffs and/or subsidies as necessary for purposes of national security.
You wouldn’t know what to do with the data if I gave them to you.
I am not your research analyst. Now that you think you know what questions to ask (you don’t), enlighten yourself.
Good night and I suggest you change your secret hiding place password.
If that’s the case then no unions or minimum wages should be allowed in “protected” industries.
JUST BUILD THE DARN THING.
As for unions, the Wagner Act (NLRA, 29 U.S.C. §§ 151-169) says that workers in most industries have the right to organize, and this right has been upheld in federal court in several cases (NLRB v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp., 301 U.S. 1, 38 , 41-42 [1937], NLRB v. Fruehauf Trailer Co., 301 U.S. 49 [1937], NLRB v. Friedman-Harry Marks Clothing Co., 301 U.S. 58 [1937], NLRB v. Reliance Fuel Oil Co.,, 371 U.S. 224 [1963], inter alia); to restrict that right would probably require a constitutional amendment.
You’re right. A country that makes nothing is called a colony.
That’s right, we pass them out to the free trade crowd who haven’t the sense to recognize danger ;^)
Two churches are to be built on the world trade center site. If not, we shall see.
Been foretold
Done.
Better non-union Chinese made?
Correct and I see massive foreign ownership here as colonization. Japanese automobile plants are a good example. It was disgusting to see states/counties compete on giveaways and tax holidays to get Toyota/Nissan/Hyundai/BMW etc to build factories on their turf.......
These breaks put GM/Ford/Chysler at a competitive disadvantage. But the mantra was jobs jobs jobs for American peons to work for their new foreign masters
Regardless of where it's from?
No, still sort on the made-in-America basis. Then by state. Don’t like it? Guess that’s why ‘my money’ is still ‘my money’. When it becomes yours, you just let me know and we’ll talk about how you get it.
A closed, agrarian system is more to your liking?
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