U.S. Furniture Makers to Seek Protection From China Imports

Wall Street Journal ^ | 7/15/03 | Dan Morse

[Texas_Dawg]

A group of American makers of wood bedroom furniture is preparing to seek protection from the U.S. government to stem a surge of imports from China that the companies say has ravaged their industry.

John Bassett, president and chief executive of Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Co., Galax, Va., and a spokesman for the group of 14 furniture makers, said the American Furniture Manufacturers Committee for Legal Trade intends to file an antidumping petition this fall with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission.

[warchild9]

Military chipmaking and aircraft assemblies already have been moved to China. I've been told that they were making a push to take over our naval radar facilities, but the shipbuilding industry got off its collective duff and paid bribes, er campaign contributions, to the right people in Washington and got that stopped.

[Texas_Dawg]

If, in the name of saving money for yourself, you want to buy Chinese crap and feed the vast Chinese economic machine that has explicitly threatened to nuke Los Angeles, that's your prerogative.

It's not my prerogrative by what you want to do. You want to forcibly take my money by forcing me to pay to support inefficient American workers. So it's not my prerogative at all under your scheme.

[warchild9]

Would it change your mind to note that these same Communist Chinese you think nothing of have paid millions in bribes to the Democrats and Clinton? We only saw the tip of the iceberg in the 90's. Heaven knows what Clinton has stashed in offshore accounts.

[harpseal]

A spoiled few seeking to have the government forcibly remove the money of the rest of all Americans.

Ah yes another voice from the People's Republic of China. When China's currency is allowed to float free on international exchange nmarkets and they stop subsidizing the building of factories to compete with US products and they stop using slave labor I will isten to your complaints. However, in the interim I will suggest that apologists for Communist Dictatorships are no better than the members of that regime.

[Texas_Dawg]

When China's currency is allowed to float free on international exchange nmarkets and they stop subsidizing the building of factories to compete with US products and they stop using slave labor I will isten to your complaints.

If they are going to do something so economically stupid as the tactics above, why do you then want to copy them? This is like seeing your opponent shoot himself in the foot and deciding to do the same on your end. Really dumb.

[MEG33]

I love fine craftmanship even when I can't afford it.I am no economics student or immune from shopping for the best buy.When the garbage collector makes more than our childrens' teacher,something's a bit wrong with collective bargaining!Our goods are too expensive to compete world wide and I haven't a clue how to solve it.I never worried about the trade deficits but now they are getting very large and tariffs cost us huge fines(steel and soft lumber).I think passion should not lead to questioning one's loyalty.

[MEG33]

I'd love a buy America campaign but last time (clothing)it was impossible to really do it because nothing seems to be truly "made in America" any more!

[sergeantdave]

I don't understand why Americans are buying so-called goods from Wong Fat's No Damn Good furniture company from China. To say Chinese craftsmanship sucks is an undeserved compliment.

I also don't understand why the American furniture manufacturers are not running ads to educate the American people on the superior product they turn out.

I could see a commercial where a fellow buys a Chinese junk dresser, opens the drawer and the side falls off, a leg snaps and he's standing there looking stupid with a broken bail in his hand. That would be truth in advertising.

[conservaDave]

The only thing left for the US to manufacture is taxpayers.

[Texas_Dawg]

So if it's not worth the price, why do you need to have the federal government protect the American furniture makers?

[Texas_Dawg]

I am no economics student or immune from shopping for the best buy.

I wish everyone was. Then the paleo scare tactics wouldn't work on people, and everyone would be much better off as the U.S. would be wealthier and stronger than ever.

[harpseal]

I would rather China be the one the one that is harmed rather than the USA you however seem to prefer America damaged and China ascendant. So be it I happen to be an American.

[Texas_Dawg]

So be it I happen to be an American.

Me too. A conservative, Christian, patriotic one as well. You ever taken an economics course?

[MEG33]

This is a difference of opinion .It is not fair to question someone's allegiance to his country if he buys a foreign widget!

[Texas_Dawg]

Won't matter to them. Have had way too many conversations with paleos to expect any better. They'd rather rant and rave with Pat Buchanan (a rather angry man), and hate our President (a nice man and a genuine Christian). Would rather talk about Chi-coms and so on as if President Bush and his advisers would really just choose money over our country's existence. Sadly, some simple economics would cure these problems of theirs (although the anger and hating will only pass when Christ changes their hearts Himself), but they'd rather hide out in their paleo clubs and hate everyone who disagrees with them. Too bad. Luckily the good guys are running the show now, to their dismay.

[AngryJawa]

"I'd love a buy America campaign but last time (clothing)it was impossible to really do it because nothing seems to be truly "made in America" any more!"

It takes some searching, but it's out there. The quality advantage over the Chicom products is generally very obvious.

An ad campaign would (hopefully) create enough demand for homegrown products that would entice retailers to carry more of it. Years ago Wal-Mart prided themselves on Made in USA products. Sam Walton's death changed that.

[sergeantdave]

Precisely, Mr. Dawg. American manufacturers do not need protection. If furniture manufacturers were to educate the American consumer on the crap the Chinese turn out, there is no need for tariff protection, unless state subsidy can be proved.

An American chair will last for years and years; buy a Chinese chair and you as well save time and drive it straight to the dump.

[Texas_Dawg]

OK, then we are in agreement. No more trade tariffs.

[MEG33]

Because I entered into a conversation on a serious column about our economy,dollar,etc I am interested in how the global economy affects us pro and con .I know the opinions are varied and sometimes heated!I love to ask questions and am open to considering all sides when learning.I am not immune from bias..but I try to watch it when neo..paleo..True,etc are being employed!I love our country and am very concerned about the communist/socialist undermining us.They pounce when times are tough.

[Texas_Dawg]

The U.S. is fine. And we'll stay that way as long as we re-elect Bush and conservative Republicans.