The Uneven Playing Field Ignored By The Trade Deal

James Stuber Contributor The American Dossier Editors Note: Part two of a four part series. The forced technology transfers and other practices singled out in the failed U.S.-China trade negotiations leave other aspects of the uneven playing field completely unaddressed. Of course there are the Chinese workers low wages long hours and life in cramped dormitories separated from their children. But there is more. In the 1970s Americans decided we would no longer tolerate manufacturing that polluted the air and water and maimed and sickened workers. So we enacted and implemented the Clean Air Act the Clean Water Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. China has done none of this. I spoke recently with someone who was sadly responsible for the preparation of his shuttered factorys equipment for shipment to China. He started to explain the safety mechanisms of the machines but was interrupted by his Chinese counterpart who said dont bother; were just going to remove those." Under severe price pressure in the supply chain from the likes of Walmart and Apple and Dell Computers Chinese factory operators cut costs by exposing workers to toxic chemicals and unsafe machines and by contaminating the air water and soil of surrounding communities. The result is millions of workers missing digits and limbs and suffering from cancers and neurological disorders and hazardous smog black rivers and landscapes too polluted with heavy metals to safely grow crops. These practices lower the Chinese firms costs to price points at which firms complying with American laws cannot compete. The announced 10 tariffs on another $300 billion in Chinese goods are a step toward correcting these cost subsidies paid so dearly by Chinese workers and communities. Matching the 25 rate on the previous $250 billion would be better yet. Jim Stuber is the founder of a non-profit organization called Made in America Again (MIAA). MIAAs mission is to create awareness and build healthy American communities by encouraging consumers to buy things made in those communities. His goal is for MIAA is to generate $500 billion in consumer spending enough to balance trade create six million jobs take the slack out of the economy and get a virtuous circle going again. Jim has kindly agreed to share his insights with The American Dossier from time to time. For more information on MIAA visit www.madeinamericaagain.org.