Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Everything’s Made in China? Not Quite.
New American ^ | 8/13/11 | Bob Adelmann

Posted on 08/13/2011 6:52:27 PM PDT by Mikey_1962

An analysis just released by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco concludes that most of what Americans spend on consumer goods, electronics, clothing, sneakers and the like, stays in America. Surprisingly little comes from China after all. Say the authors:

Goods and services from China accounted for only 2.7% of U.S. personal consumption expenditures (PCE) in 2010…Chinese imports make up only a small share of total U.S. consumer spending…

Athough globalization is widely recognized these days, the U.S. economy actually remains relatively closed. The vast majority of goods and services sold in the United States is produced here. In 2010, imports were about 16% of U.S. GDP. Imports from China amounted to 2.5% of GDP.

About 55% of the amount spent on goods made in China stays in the U.S. as well, in the form of transportation costs, wholesale and retail marketing expenses, and labor. Put another way, $276 billion was spent in 2010 on consumer goods labeled “Made in China” compared to the total consumer spending of $10.2 trillion, and $153 billion of that stayed in the United States.

When local services such as doctor’s appointments or a trip to the local theatre or restaurant are excluded, China still takes only about 20 percent of consumer spending on household equipment and furniture, and just 35 percent of clothing and shoe sales. All together then, when the American consumer spends money, only about 3 cents of every dollar is actually spent on “Made in China” goods, and half of that stays here. As noted by Doug Henwood, this study should “revise a lot of clichés.” It’s also a reminder of how much economic activity is inside the American economy – that for most consumers, the best customer is themselves.

(Excerpt) Read more at thenewamerican.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: assembledinusa; china; madeinchina; madeintheusa; madeinusa; tna
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-78 next last
The fatal flaw in this analysis is that just because the OEM is in the USA doesn't mean that the sub assemblies are not 50 to 75% Chinese.

Look at GE's 1.5MW Turbine: The generator itself is from Japan, ALL the steel components are from China; the Nacelles are from either US or China, Blades are from either Brazil or USA. But since it is assembled here in the USA it would be considered Made in USA.

At least the Auto Industry list total North American content on the sticker.

1 posted on 08/13/2011 6:52:31 PM PDT by Mikey_1962
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Mikey_1962

In this globalized world it is no longer realistic to say that anything is entirely made here, there or anywhere.

Bethink thyself of all the Hondas and Toyotas and Mitsubishis assembled right here.


2 posted on 08/13/2011 6:57:17 PM PDT by sinanju
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mikey_1962

Commence the trade war.

Enough of this nonsense.


3 posted on 08/13/2011 6:58:36 PM PDT by Cringing Negativism Network ("Cut the Crap and Balance!" -- Governor Sarah Palin , Friday August 12 2011, Iowa State Fair)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mikey_1962
"Blades are from either Brazil or USA"

Saw one last week being made in York, PA. Awesome.
Delivering must be a bitich.

4 posted on 08/13/2011 7:02:13 PM PDT by AGreatPer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mikey_1962

Yah we ALL believe the Fed. Sounds like BS to me.


5 posted on 08/13/2011 7:05:18 PM PDT by mainevet (Get an M1911 or two or three or four)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mikey_1962

I don’t believe it.


6 posted on 08/13/2011 7:06:42 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mikey_1962

Another “expert” who doesn’t have a clue.

Write down a list of 10 ordinary household items that you regularly buy - like sheets and linen, toasters, hardware items, appliances, laptops, tableware, power tools, clothing items - whatever.

None of it will be made in the USA. None of it.

Almost all of it will be made in China.

All of it used to be made here. And these idiots think that’s not a problem. They’re all executives and politicians - none of this will affect them


7 posted on 08/13/2011 7:07:56 PM PDT by oldbill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sinanju
Bethink thyself of all the Hondas and Toyotas and Mitsubishis assembled right here

Back when I was GM engineer working in Silao GTO Mexico I had several arguments (over several beers) about what "buying American" meant if anything.

My argument was that buying a Honda made in Ohio was more American than buying an Chevy Avalanche made in Silao Guanajuato Mexico.

I was born and raised in Detroit and saw the effect "Globalization" had. It made Detroit leaner in every way except labor and health care costs.

8 posted on 08/13/2011 7:08:30 PM PDT by Mikey_1962 (Obama: The Affirmative Action President. Alea iacta est!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Mikey_1962

Oh man, they really tried in that article. We went from manufacturing being 53 percent of the total economy in 1965 down to nine percent in 2004, and it’s been falling since then. Gotta stop pretending that the dollars are leaving this country never to come back. Alexander Hamilton’s Report on Manufactures has never been so valid as today . . . self-sufficiency in manufacturing industry equals national security to a great degree.


9 posted on 08/13/2011 7:09:25 PM PDT by Olog-hai
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sinanju

BS

EVERYTHING comes from China.
Maybe not my insurance, not my electicity, nor my gasoline or heating oil.

The Apple juice in my fridge, just like your apple juice, comes from china, So does my garlic powder and god knows what other ingredients in my food that i eat.

Oh yea, my new Dishwasher, Drill, Clothes dryer, Vacuum cleaner, Pots and pans, Garbage disposal, Shop vac, Weedwacker, lawn furniture, HD TV, Playstation, Keyboard, EVERY LITTLE PLASTIC PIECE OF CRAP JUNK DEVICE SITTING IN MY HOUSE was made in China.

I am sitting here drinking a Molson Golden though.
As far as i know that is not made in China yet.


10 posted on 08/13/2011 7:09:44 PM PDT by mowowie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Mikey_1962

I was born at night....but...... :)


11 posted on 08/13/2011 7:10:13 PM PDT by Sporke (USS-Iowa BB-61)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AGreatPer
My company makes them in two locations here is the US.

They weigh 6 to 7 tons and are 37 to 50 meters long.

Center of gravity has to be withing 0.5” of center.

3650 inspection points, and a bitch to make and ship.

12 posted on 08/13/2011 7:12:01 PM PDT by Mikey_1962 (Obama: The Affirmative Action President. Alea iacta est!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: mowowie

Apple juice and garlic powder?

Does it say that on the container?

I’m not doubting you,I am just in a state of shock.


13 posted on 08/13/2011 7:14:44 PM PDT by Mears
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Mikey_1962

This figure was posted yesterday in another post / article.

The 2.7% is based on ALL spending - that’s so deceptive it’s ridiculous.

Most mortgage payments don’t go to China, duh.

We discovered that only about 1/4 of clothing is made in the U.S., while about 35% is made in China.

Last time I went to the “ritzy” mall, there was NOTHING made in Europe except a few Irish sweaters. No Italian ties, silks, shoes, etc., etc.

Everything was garbage from mooselimb or asian countries.

And for that the “ritz” mall wants people to pay huge markups ? If I want Chinese-made clothing I can go anywhere. Walmart clothing at Needless Markup prices.

The huge hidden figure is industrial machine tools and equipment. China. Even Korea and the others are getting pushed out. It’s a disgusting joke.

It’s not 100% of these things, but the amount of imports points exactly towards the missing jobs in the economy.

Can I get a duh ?


14 posted on 08/13/2011 7:15:27 PM PDT by PieterCasparzen (We need to fix things ourselves)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mikey_1962

I’m about to buy a Chinese blender. In less than four years I’ve had two American-made blenders (Waring Pro and Kitchenaid) crap out on me. These two brands used to produce appliances that would last damn near a lifetime.


15 posted on 08/13/2011 7:17:03 PM PDT by Gena Bukin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mowowie

“I am sitting here drinking a Molson Golden though.”
The only good thing about free trade.. “Ah, that’s Canada.”


16 posted on 08/13/2011 7:18:53 PM PDT by enduserindy (Conservative Dead Head)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: mowowie

Our national unemployment rate is about 10%

Most of those who lose jobs, will become Democrat voters.

Imagine if, instead, all that stuff you just mentioned, was made right here in America - how many American would have JOBS.

That is not a rhetorical statement.

“Free trade” is a disaster.


17 posted on 08/13/2011 7:19:39 PM PDT by Cringing Negativism Network ("Cut the Crap and Balance!" -- Governor Sarah Palin , Friday August 12 2011, Iowa State Fair)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Gena Bukin

Check that - I don’t believe the Kitchenaide or Waring are still made in the USA.


18 posted on 08/13/2011 7:21:17 PM PDT by oldbill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: mowowie

My new Iphone was even “made in China” apparently.


19 posted on 08/13/2011 7:21:28 PM PDT by RC one (whatever.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: oldbill
What does ‘Made in China’ mean? IPhones are ‘made in China’ but that is because the components are assembled there - due to cheap labor. But the individual components come from other countries including the U.S. (like the software). In the past if it said Made in US, or Made in Japan, that was literally true but not anymore. So on a iphone maybe $50 is from China - but $300 is counted toward the trade deficit.

On the other hand it is increasingly difficult to manufacture here - mainly regulatory costs. Most manufacturing entails using raw materials and dangerous/toxic substances and the burden in complying with these mostly oppressive, non-legislated regs has simply made it cheaper to push manufacturing off shore.

The surprising aspect to this is unions that were heavy in manufacturing and overwhelmingly supported Democrat candidates have seen their livelihoods destroyed by these very same left wing politicians in their blind devotion to environmental wackos.

20 posted on 08/13/2011 7:23:10 PM PDT by DHerion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-78 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson