Roy is deeply saddened.
Posted on 03/02/2007 6:49:37 AM PST by mac_truck
LUKE, Md. — For years the residents of this economically distressed hollow in the Appalachians have watched textile mills, glass factories and tire makers close down one after the other. Now its lone remaining big factory — “the last man standing,” as the production manager at the paper mill here put it — is threatened by imports of cheaper paper made in China.
We’re still the economic engine for this whole area,” said Scott Graham, the production manager, referring to the river valley and forested hills surrounding the mill. “But our operations cannot compete with these below-cost imports.”
It is a familiar story in the struggle of the American industrial base to cope with globalization, but this one may have a different ending.
The problems of paper mills here and elsewhere around the country have become a test case for a possible new confrontation between the United States and China, which many industry officials and members of Congress hope could lead to new tariffs on imports not only of Chinese-made paper but also of steel, furniture, textiles and plastics.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
In short, it's slow bleed with lots of companies actually moving production to China and bringing it back cheaper than producing it here.
Go, Union!
/sarcasm
I hate unions, but American manufactures need a level playing field when it comes to Chinese imports.
American paper companies are getting out of the coated paper business as fast as they can... The remaining money maker is liner board, brown paper for boxes.
You are right. Thats why I'm supporting Ducan Hunter for President.
He is right on the trade issues.
Can you expand on that comment? What is his position on trade, particularly with China?
I see laminate flooring (made virtually completely from pressed recycled paper) from China for as little as 63c/SF retail for a single box. And remember that that includes the cost of shipping it. There are plenty of people who just want to get the cheapest stuff they can find and there's plenty of Chinese stores to accomodate them.
The US paper mills just got through taking out a good chunk of domestic production in order to raise prices.
I was a the grocery store the other day and was looking at cans of mushrooms. Product of China.
I was horrified. I am not fond of the idea of putting things in my mouth that were produced in China. Needless to say, I didn't buy.
I don't doubt the Chinese are selling their products cheaply in the United States, the real question is how are they doing it? Are they dumping their products for less than it costs to produce them? Are they allowing American companies equal acccess to their markets? Are we competing on a level playing field?
Clearly this is not the same Chinese economy that existed 15 years ago when these trade deals were implemented.
Hunter has a very good point on this.
Roy is deeply saddened.
> I was a the grocery store the other day and was looking at cans of mushrooms. Product of China.
OMG! Trust nothing food-wise that is produced in China.
Thanks, I'll check it out. I'm gladd there's one candidate at least who's focusing on this issue.
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