Wal Mart is 70% Chinese?

whygohome

An earlier post on illegal immigration and its cost to taxpayers and President Hu's visit prompted me, somehow, to do some research on Wal-Mart and the import of Chinese goods. The connection? Well, while we, as humans, and maybe Americans, constantly seek to place blame on others, we forget who is ultimately to blame for these problems: we are. Americans hire illegals. Americans enjoy not paying taxes on their illegal immigrant workers; they enjoy not giving them health coverage and they enjoy not paying them respectable wages.
As far as China's economy, the exporting of jobs, the lack of American exports to most of Asia, and the lack of American goods in the marketplace - at least at Wal-Mart - once again, we are to blame.

The new Church of America, Wal-Mart, exports roughly 70-80% of their goods from China. And who is buying this crap? Americans. I swear I remember "Buy American" once being an important slogan in this country. I believe in good, sound trade relationships with other countries. However, when it is so unbalanced, that only creates problems. if we continue to go corporate, we destroy Main Street.....and don't get me started on Fast (Poison) Food.

Anyway, below are some sources.

http://media.web.britannica.com/ebsco/p ... 246975.pdf

http://www.aflcio.org/corporatewatch/wa ... mart_5.cfm

http://www.organicconsumers.org/corp/wa ... 113004.cfm

http://walmartwatch.com/issues/supplier_relationships/

polaris_x

this concept has long been lost ...

Jason P

The only way to solve the problem is to increase tariffs.

Asia has cheaper labor, less regulations, and most of the assembly and manufacturing of electronic goods.

Don't blame Walmart. They sell the same stuff that every other major chain sells.

whygohome

Jason P wrote:

The only way to solve the problem is to increase tariffs.

Asia has cheaper labor, less regulations, and most of the assembly and manufacturing of electronic goods.

Don't blame Walmart. They sell the same stuff that every other major chain sells.

Wal-Mart was a good example to use.

I watched a special on PBS on the auto industry, focusing on GM. There seemed to be a good bit of news that they discussed. According to the report, U.S. labor costs in the auto industry are at an all time low. This means that we have caught up, by going down, to other nations, mostly the Asian nations. So, it is now possible that our exports in the auto industry could see a (dramatic? strong?) increase in the coming years. We would have to tap into new markets - India, Indonesia, S. America - but I feel that this is possibly a good sign, at least for the American auto industry

mikepegg44

whygohome wrote:

An earlier post on illegal immigration and its cost to taxpayers and President Hu's visit prompted me, somehow, to do some research on Wal-Mart and the import of Chinese goods. The connection? Well, while we, as humans, and maybe Americans, constantly seek to place blame on others, we forget who is ultimately to blame for these problems: we are. Americans hire illegals. Americans enjoy not paying taxes on their illegal immigrant workers; they enjoy not giving them health coverage and they enjoy not paying them respectable wages.
As far as China's economy, the exporting of jobs, the lack of American exports to most of Asia, and the lack of American goods in the marketplace - at least at Wal-Mart - once again, we are to blame.

The new Church of America, Wal-Mart, exports roughly 70-80% of their goods from China. And who is buying this crap? Americans. I swear I remember "Buy American" once being an important slogan in this country. I believe in good, sound trade relationships with other countries. However, when it is so unbalanced, that only creates problems. if we continue to go corporate, we destroy Main Street.....and don't get me started on Fast (Poison) Food.

Anyway, below are some sources.

http://media.web.britannica.com/ebsco/p ... 246975.pdf

http://www.aflcio.org/corporatewatch/wa ... mart_5.cfm

http://www.organicconsumers.org/corp/wa ... 113004.cfm

http://walmartwatch.com/issues/supplier_relationships/

one of the huge issues with China is the devaluing of their currency. I don't know if I have a great grasp on it as I am not a great currency valuation mind, but it seems as though the chinese government purposely devalues their currency to not only make building factories there more attractive but so that our goods we produce cannot compete with the costs of the those produced locally...it isn't imports from china that are cheap that are the problem, it is the market manipulation to ensure their goods stay cheaper than those that we may export to china so the trade deficit stays large.
Jason is probably right in saying that tariffs seems like the only way to deal with it as long as the chinese are devaluing their money.
They do need us to continue their growth, I am sure a compromise will be reached eventually to help both sides continue to grow

polaris_x

mikepegg44 wrote:

one of the huge issues with China is the devaluing of their currency. I don't know if I have a great grasp on it as I am not a great currency valuation mind, but it seems as though the chinese government purposely devalues their currency to not only make building factories there more attractive but so that our goods we produce cannot compete with the costs of the those produced locally...it isn't imports from china that are cheap that are the problem, it is the market manipulation to ensure their goods stay cheaper than those that we may export to china so the trade deficit stays large.
Jason is probably right in saying that tariffs seems like the only way to deal with it as long as the chinese are devaluing their money.
They do need us to continue their growth, I am sure a compromise will be reached eventually to help both sides continue to grow

the yuan is pegged to the dollar but yeah ... it's essentially the same thing ...

tariffs are not necessarily the issue ...you have to acknowledge that although china gets money for the goods they export - the primary profiteers are the coporations that distribute them ...

Godfather.

whygohome wrote:

An earlier post on illegal immigration and its cost to taxpayers and President Hu's visit prompted me, somehow, to do some research on Wal-Mart and the import of Chinese goods. The connection? Well, while we, as humans, and maybe Americans, constantly seek to place blame on others, we forget who is ultimately to blame for these problems: we are. Americans hire illegals. Americans enjoy not paying taxes on their illegal immigrant workers; they enjoy not giving them health coverage and they enjoy not paying them respectable wages.
As far as China's economy, the exporting of jobs, the lack of American exports to most of Asia, and the lack of American goods in the marketplace - at least at Wal-Mart - once again, we are to blame.

The new Church of America, Wal-Mart, exports roughly 70-80% of their goods from China. And who is buying this crap? Americans. I swear I remember "Buy American" once being an important slogan in this country. I believe in good, sound trade relationships with other countries. However, when it is so unbalanced, that only creates problems. if we continue to go corporate, we destroy Main Street.....and don't get me started on Fast (Poison) Food.

Anyway, below are some sources.

http://media.web.britannica.com/ebsco/p ... 246975.pdf

http://www.aflcio.org/corporatewatch/wa ... mart_5.cfm

http://www.organicconsumers.org/corp/wa ... 113004.cfm

http://walmartwatch.com/issues/supplier_relationships/

this is the reason I buy American cars and trucks and my Harley...well it's just better looking than any rice burner and it's made in america.

BTW great post !

Godfather.

whygohome

Godfather. wrote:

whygohome wrote:

An earlier post on illegal immigration and its cost to taxpayers and President Hu's visit prompted me, somehow, to do some research on Wal-Mart and the import of Chinese goods. The connection? Well, while we, as humans, and maybe Americans, constantly seek to place blame on others, we forget who is ultimately to blame for these problems: we are. Americans hire illegals. Americans enjoy not paying taxes on their illegal immigrant workers; they enjoy not giving them health coverage and they enjoy not paying them respectable wages.
As far as China's economy, the exporting of jobs, the lack of American exports to most of Asia, and the lack of American goods in the marketplace - at least at Wal-Mart - once again, we are to blame.

The new Church of America, Wal-Mart, exports roughly 70-80% of their goods from China. And who is buying this crap? Americans. I swear I remember "Buy American" once being an important slogan in this country. I believe in good, sound trade relationships with other countries. However, when it is so unbalanced, that only creates problems. if we continue to go corporate, we destroy Main Street.....and don't get me started on Fast (Poison) Food.

Anyway, below are some sources.

http://media.web.britannica.com/ebsco/p ... 246975.pdf

http://www.aflcio.org/corporatewatch/wa ... mart_5.cfm

http://www.organicconsumers.org/corp/wa ... 113004.cfm

http://walmartwatch.com/issues/supplier_relationships/

this is the reason I buy American cars and trucks and my Harley...well it's just better looking than any rice burner and it's made in america.

BTW great post !

Godfather.

I am not a jealous man, but I am also not too proud to admit that I am jealous of anyone who has a Harley. Many years ago I said to myself - the only person who would listen - that I plan on buying a Harley for my 35th birthday. 3 years to go. Wish me luck.

Cosmo

Godfather. wrote:

this is the reason I buy American cars and trucks and my Harley...well it's just better looking than any rice burner and it's made in america.

BTW great post !

Godfather.

...
Don't mean to rain on your parade... but, 'Assembled in America' is not the same as 'Made In America'. There are no cars 'Made in America' anymore. If you ever get a chance to check the inventory of spare parts... check out the 'Made In...' labels on the boxes. Just about every electronic part is made someplace else... same goes for most plastic parts. These are the same parts that are used to assemble the cars (and yes, motorcycles) in America.
I think you need to go back to the 1970s to find a car that was 'Made In America'. Maybe a Pinto... or a Vega... or a Gremlin.

know1

I say more power to he Chinese and I'm against any tariffs. If someone can do it better and cheaper, then let them do it. That's what drives progress.

And by the way - the U.S. is still the top manufacturer in the world.

Jason P

whygohome wrote:

I am not a jealous man, but I am also not too proud to admit that I am jealous of anyone who has a Harley. Many years ago I said to myself - the only person who would listen - that I plan on buying a Harley for my 35th birthday. 3 years to go. Wish me luck.

Why buy a Harley when the Japanese offer better quality at a lower price?

Godfather.

whygohome wrote:

Godfather. wrote:

whygohome wrote:

An earlier post on illegal immigration and its cost to taxpayers and President Hu's visit prompted me, somehow, to do some research on Wal-Mart and the import of Chinese goods. The connection? Well, while we, as humans, and maybe Americans, constantly seek to place blame on others, we forget who is ultimately to blame for these problems: we are. Americans hire illegals. Americans enjoy not paying taxes on their illegal immigrant workers; they enjoy not giving them health coverage and they enjoy not paying them respectable wages.
As far as China's economy, the exporting of jobs, the lack of American exports to most of Asia, and the lack of American goods in the marketplace - at least at Wal-Mart - once again, we are to blame.

The new Church of America, Wal-Mart, exports roughly 70-80% of their goods from China. And who is buying this crap? Americans. I swear I remember "Buy American" once being an important slogan in this country. I believe in good, sound trade relationships with other countries. However, when it is so unbalanced, that only creates problems. if we continue to go corporate, we destroy Main Street.....and don't get me started on Fast (Poison) Food.

Anyway, below are some sources.

http://media.web.britannica.com/ebsco/p ... 246975.pdf

http://www.aflcio.org/corporatewatch/wa ... mart_5.cfm

http://www.organicconsumers.org/corp/wa ... 113004.cfm

http://walmartwatch.com/issues/supplier_relationships/

this is the reason I buy American cars and trucks and my Harley...well it's just better looking than any rice burner and it's made in america.

BTW great post !

Godfather.

I am not a jealous man, but I am also not too proud to admit that I am jealous of anyone who has a Harley. Many years ago I said to myself - the only person who would listen - that I plan on buying a Harley for my 35th birthday. 3 years to go. Wish me luck.

good luck to you Bro,btw do NOT buy a sportster...you will just end up selling it and losing money then buying a big twin,look at the dyna or the street glide and the soft tails

Godfather.

Godfather.

know1 wrote:

I say more power to he Chinese and I'm against any tariffs. If someone can do it better and cheaper, then let them do it. That's what drives progress.

And by the way - the U.S. is still the top manufacturer in the world.

in general does cheaper mean better ?

Godfather.

Godfather.

Cosmo wrote:

Godfather. wrote:

this is the reason I buy American cars and trucks and my Harley...well it's just better looking than any rice burner and it's made in america.

BTW great post !

Godfather.

...
Don't mean to rain on your parade... but, 'Assembled in America' is not the same as 'Made In America'. There are no cars 'Made in America' anymore. If you ever get a chance to check the inventory of spare parts... check out the 'Made In...' labels on the boxes. Just about every electronic part is made someplace else... same goes for most plastic parts. These are the same parts that are used to assemble the cars (and yes, motorcycles) in America.
I think you need to go back to the 1970s to find a car that was 'Made In America'. Maybe a Pinto... or a Vega... or a Gremlin.

Cosmo did you miss the op ? and by the way I will not challenge your knowledge on this

Godfather.

lukin2006

Godfather. wrote:

know1 wrote:

I say more power to he Chinese and I'm against any tariffs. If someone can do it better and cheaper, then let them do it. That's what drives progress.

And by the way - the U.S. is still the top manufacturer in the world.

in general does cheaper mean better ?

Godfather.

The Chinese are doing it cheaper but not better, the shit that comes out of China is junk for the most part.

lukin2006

A link of where cars are assembled, engines made and transmissions made.

I live near the chrysler mini van plant and I know that many of the parts for it are made locally.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009 ... nts-4.html

know1

Godfather. wrote:

know1 wrote:

I say more power to he Chinese and I'm against any tariffs. If someone can do it better and cheaper, then let them do it. That's what drives progress.

And by the way - the U.S. is still the top manufacturer in the world.

in general does cheaper mean better ?

Godfather.

Sometimes it does, yes.

know1

lukin2006 wrote:

Godfather. wrote:

know1 wrote:

I say more power to he Chinese and I'm against any tariffs. If someone can do it better and cheaper, then let them do it. That's what drives progress.

And by the way - the U.S. is still the top manufacturer in the world.

in general does cheaper mean better ?

Godfather.

The Chinese are doing it cheaper but not better, the shit that comes out of China is junk for the most part.

But that's up to the market to decide. If you keep getting bad product, you won't buy.

Cosmo

Godfather. wrote:

Cosmo did you miss the op ? and by the way I will not challenge your knowledge on this

Godfather.

...
I am just tryin to point out that it is harder and harder to find things that are truely, 'Made In The U.S.A.'. The Chevy and Ford nameplates may harken back to the olden days... but, the parts and sub-assemblies are pretty much manufactured elsewhere.
Also... what a lot of U.S. companies do is retain the name... Radio Corporation of America (RCA), for example... there isn't one of its electronics products made here. Yet, I am sure there are people who will buy an RCA product over a Sony or Samsung, thinking they are supporting American workers. They are... in a sense... I suppose. RCA executives and managers, distribution and clerical... those people are being supported.

Godfather.

Cosmo wrote:

Godfather. wrote:

Cosmo did you miss the op ? and by the way I will not challenge your knowledge on this

Godfather.

...
I am just tryin to point out that it is harder and harder to find things that are truely, 'Made In The U.S.A.'. The Chevy and Ford nameplates may harken back to the olden days... but, the parts and sub-assemblies are pretty much manufactured elsewhere.
Also... what a lot of U.S. companies do is retain the name... Radio Corporation of America (RCA), for example... there isn't one of its electronics products made here. Yet, I am sure there are people who will buy an RCA product over a Sony or Samsung, thinking they are supporting American workers. They are... in a sense... I suppose. RCA executives and managers, distribution and clerical... those people are being supported.

My gripe is the way business in done between the the US and other countries, the US gives tax breaks and other great deals to over seas company's to do business here or sell their products here and other countries their imports are limited especially for autos and trucks, and the deals with out sourcing is bad also just at the plant I work at alone over 100 people have been laid off because their jobs were out sourced.

Godfather.

Cosmo

Godfather. wrote:

My gripe is the way business in done between the the US and other countries, the US gives tax breaks and other great deals to over seas company's to do business here or sell their products here and other countries their imports are limited especially for autos and trucks, and the deals with out sourcing is bad also just at the plant I work at alone over 100 people have been laid off because their jobs were out sourced.

Godfather.

...
Welcome to Market Capitalism.
I'm not sure about 'tax breaks'... but, I am sure that there are people in other parts of the world that will do the same job for a hell of a lot cheaper.
And... it is not Unions. It is what we, as Americans expect from our line of work. There is no way we will do the same job for the same rate as people in China, India or Mexico. That's why the shirt you are wearing is made from cotton grown in Bangladesh, woven in India, put on a ship and sent to Indonesia to be dyed and printed, put on a ship and sent to Guatemala to be cut (by machines that used to be in the U.S.), put on a ship and sent to China to be assembled to be put on a ship to be sent to your local Wal-Mart... where it sells for $7.99. How do you... as an American... compete with that? You don't. You choose not to aspire to be a cotton picker, textile weaver, fabric dyer, materials pattern cutter or sweatshop seamstress.
And... it is not just clothing... it is everything... including doctors. Why does a doctor here really need to read your X-Ray? Can't a qualified doctor in another country diagnose the print? The ones that will stay here are the techicians that take the X-Rays and the surgeon that will do the cutting.
...
Have your kids become plumbers. Everyone here needs an operational toilet and will pay whatever to make sure it works.