[cloudmountain]

Just last year, American imports from China were 440 billion.
Last year, American exports to China were 122 billion.
We are running a massive trade deficit with China. China is now the second-largest economy in the entire world.
China is still growing, quickly.

All that you say is true.
We buy from China because we can get things cheaper. It's all about money; always has been; always will be, for us.

The Swiss support their own industries. They WILL pay more for, say, a kilo of meat instead of driving a TAD farther and getting it cheaper.

We DON'T support our own industries because the almighty dollar has us at its feet. All hail to the almighty dollar. (sarcasm)

[unixfox]

Another thing about China. China has a 1 child policy. They have been killing new born females because males are more desired in China. This has been going on for over 25 years.

So now they have a disproportionate amount of males to females. Not enough females to go around and they are just a little pissed. Think about it, they also have the largest standing army in the world. Not a very good mix.