U.S.-China Trade

[Dissident Union]

Hello, chat-avenuers! I'm back after a short-lived hiatus. Did you miss me? Probably not.

Let's cut to the chase, shall we? The issue here is simple. Is China’s emergence as an economic superpower beneficial to U.S. interests? Or should the U.S. implement protectionist trade measures (tariffs and quotas) in order to make the American economy more competitive with China?

As you know, China is the world's most populous nation, with roughly 1.2 billion people, and it's home to the world's fastest-growing economy. Over the past couple decades, when the Chinese government began implementing a series of economic reforms, the country's export levels have soared, while its domestic production has increased noticeably. Many economic experts predict that in the 21st century, China will overtake the U.S. to become the world's richest and largest economy.

I support unrestricted trade with China. Maintaining open economic relations with the world’s most populous country allows U.S. companies to sell goods to large numbers of Chinese consumers and allows the American public to purchase cheap goods from China, such as clothing and electronics. Since the U.S. government is a principal backer of the global free-trade movement, the U.S. would be hypocritical if it restricted trade with China.

As a global manufacturing hub, China produces a variety of goods that can be found in U.S. homes, schools and businesses. Those items, bearing logos reading "Made in China," include televisions, clothing, computers, furniture, toys, textiles, portable electronic gadgets and automobiles. Why is it that all of a sudden U.S. consumers are purchasing large amounts of Chinese-made goods? Because those products are cheaper than goods manufactured in the U.S.

I understand that China is utilizing unfair trade practices, like currency manipulation, to accelerate its economic growth at the expense of the U.S. But who is confident enough to argue that in order to lower the U.S.’s massive trade deficit and level the economic playing field between the U.S. and China, the U.S. government should place import surcharges on Chinese-made goods? Let he who argues against unrestricted trade evince a compelling argument!

Originally Posted by Dissident Union

Is China’s emergence as an economic superpower beneficial to U.S. interests? Or should the U.S. implement protectionist trade measures (tariffs and quotas) in order to make the American economy more competitive with China?

As you know, China is the world's most populous nation, with roughly 1.2 billion people, and it's home to the world's fastest-growing economy. Over the past couple decades, when the Chinese government began implementing a series of economic reforms, the country's export levels have soared, while its domestic production has increased noticeably. Many economic experts predict that in the 21st century, China will overtake the U.S. to become the world's richest and largest economy.

I support unrestricted trade with China. Maintaining open economic relations with the world’s most populous country allows U.S. companies to sell goods to large numbers of Chinese consumers and allows the American public to purchase cheap goods from China, such as clothing and electronics. Since the U.S. government is a principal backer of the global free-trade movement, the U.S. would be hypocritical if it restricted trade with China.

Let's start here. Just because it might be "hypocritical" for the US to back out of their trade agreement, doesn't mean it was the right move to begin with. Also, the "restrictions" you mention are due to commitments not being fulfilled from a human rights perspective. One of the contigencies of China's involvement with free global trade was the adoption of a new human rights policy. That hasn't happened. This lack of compensation by the government towards its workers is what has helped create the trade imbalance in the first place.

Originally Posted by Dissident Union

As a global manufacturing hub, China produces a variety of goods that can be found in U.S. homes, schools and businesses. Those items, bearing logos reading "Made in China," include televisions, clothing, computers, furniture, toys, textiles, portable electronic gadgets and automobiles. Why is it that all of a sudden U.S. consumers are purchasing large amounts of Chinese-made goods? Because those products are cheaper than goods manufactured in the U.S.

Precisely. Goods will ALWAYS be made cheaper in places where a tyrannical government does not award fair compensation to its workers. It may not be slavery, but the terms of employment aren't such that many of us would agree to them.

Originally Posted by Dissident Union

I understand that China is utilizing unfair trade practices, like currency manipulation, to accelerate its economic growth at the expense of the U.S. But who is confident enough to argue that in order to lower the U.S.’s massive trade deficit and level the economic playing field between the U.S. and China, the U.S. government should place import surcharges on Chinese-made goods? Let he who argues against unrestricted trade evince a compelling argument!

The manipulation of the Yen is significant, but the Japanese have been manipulating their currency for decades (and still do). Back in the 80's, Japan was the big threat to American economic dominance. The difference is that Japanese employers respect their workers, and treat them fairly; Chinese employers--aka, The State--do not.

And on the subject of taxing imports: That works both ways. As soon as we tax China's imports, China will tax ours.

Or don't you support a free-trade agreement?