A recent issue of Manufacturing & Technology News reports that China’s manufacturing trade surplus with the entire world continues to grow at an alarmingly fast rate. China has posted large trade surpluses with the United States for several years but deficits with other nations. That is changing dramaticly - from $31 billion in 2001 to $277 billion in 2006 and a projected $400 billion for 2007.
The United States continues to be flooded with a wave of imports from China. From Clothes and toys to refrigerators and other electronics. U.S. corporations such as Wal-Mart are jumping at the opportunity to import products from a country where workers are forced to work for a mere fraction of what American workers earn in far worse conditions.
Senate Subcommittee Chairman Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) of the Interstate Commerce, Trade and Tourism has introduced the Decent Working Conditions and Fair Competition Act, which would prohibit U.S. companies from importing and selling products made overseas under “sweatshop” conditions. The bill, which has 13 co-sponsors would also allow U.S. companies to sue competitors for selling products made overseas under conditions that don’t adhere to core labor standards. A similar bill has been introduced in the House by Rep. Michael Michaud (D-Maine) and has 116 co-sponsors.
Read a summary of the act here.
