Perhaps the author should investigate the 'made in USA' products that are made using prison labor, the USA workers that labor in horrible conditions, the USA businesses that skip employee safety (coal is a good example) and customer safety and well-being (big pharma is a good example) to boost the bottom line. This doesn't diminish the problems in China, and perhaps we here in America should stop throwing stones and resolve these issues at home before criticizing others. As the author is aware, it is our addiction to fast and cheap that creates these 'business opportunities' at home and around the globe. We are the ones who can stop it.

Sent by Cathy Shay | 3:12 PM ET | 07-18-2007

The working/safety conditions in China are much worse than anywhere in the USA .. Who are you tring to fool???

Sent by victorydave | 4:00 PM ET | 07-18-2007

Even when time and price aren't issues, try and find items 'Made in USA'. Not an easy task. After eleven years, the blender died. All those available for purchase were made in China or Mexico. I'll do without.

Sent by RJCarl | 4:17 PM ET | 07-18-2007

There are a lot of products that MIGHT be made in China but there is no easy way to tell. Often a food product will say "produced for company XXX" or "distributed by XXX" with absolutely no clue as to country of origin. I suspect the feds have passed laws that allow for this deliberate ambiguity in order to protect corporate interests.

Sent by David Ashworth | 4:35 PM ET | 07-18-2007

I also find this very frustrating. I have replaced numerous items back on the shelf or rack when I see the "made in China" label, even when these are things I would purchase otherwise. I see many dangers to the USA in allowing China to become this important to our trade. I would like to see mandatory labeling on all goods and all ingredients with the manufacturing site and country listed as well as a way to contact that manufacturer. I was terrified when the pet food was found to be poisonous. The public, including myself, had no idea that food ingredients from China were included in "domestic food". There must be full disclosure of all ingredients and their source in all pet and human food.
I also would really like to see a serious reduction in China trade, and perhaps a boycott even?

Sent by Cory Michals | 4:44 PM ET | 07-18-2007

Time and price is a convenience for the average American consumer who is selfishly spoiling their children. They do not care that they are supporting the huge US trade deficit and undermining the American economy to provide their children with the latest fad that keeps them from positive mental, physical and emotional development. American business corporations are guilty by selling franchises and outsourcing. I have found that by reading labels and not shopping at department stores who carry
98% Chinese inventories, I find tennis shoes and clothing superior in quality to Chinese products and at sale prices! Granted, they may have been produced in Canada, Brazil, Germany, or Pakistan, but often made of USA raw materials. As for the poor, oppressed workers, there are plenty of American citizens on welfare that could be put work here!

Sent by Julia Mason | 4:46 PM ET | 07-18-2007

Would you choose starvation over a horrible working condition? In rural China where land yields barely enough to feed people, migrate workers can earn enough to raise the whole family making shoes or toys for export to America. Thanks to the 20 years of breakneck economic growth that lifted millions off poverty, the Chinese now can afford better working condition. Things are improving as there were a few high profile labor cases reported by NPR recently, thanks to the labour rights activists' push here. But still 40% of the Chinese population living in less than $2 per day. I'd say we should buy more Made in China products to help raise their living standard, but keep on pushing their government on improving the labour condition.

Sent by sean zhang | 5:12 PM ET | 07-18-2007

I couldn't agree with you more, David. But the same thing is happening with all products. I try to buy products from companies with a conscience, like Tom's of Maine- then they go and get bought out by Proctor & Gamble who I boycott for many reasons (mainly animal testing). You can't get away from BIG Corporations who only care about the bottom line.

Sent by Robin | 5:13 PM ET | 07-18-2007

I would gladly buy all American products, but unfortunately our short sighted gov't had sold us out with the trade deficit with China (and not putting tariffs on their goods or making them float their currency), and evil legislation like NAFTA and CAFTA.
Often the garbage we buy there is inferior, cheap and one must replace it several times in a row. I had bought 2 irons made in China, they both broke very quickly so I spent a lot more money on one made in Germany. I have had no problems with it. They dump tons of garbage on this country and who do you take it back to? The importers tell you, we didn't make it we just import it.
It stinks!

Sent by Joanne | 5:20 PM ET | 07-18-2007

Sean Zhang: are you joking? This is their own problem why should we worry about that! That population had better be kept that way (be "contained", or even diminish) otherwise when they rise from poverty they'll threaten our beloved ways of life - our rights to eat and drink freely and live a happy life, use as much energy as we care to, and still able to breath clean air ... dump our garbage across the ocean ... explore resources all over the world ...

The world would't miss that one fifth, be they commies or not ... at least we wouldn't have to worry about ours debts!

Sent by Oli | 3:17 AM ET | 07-19-2007

Oli got it right on the nose. We say we care about justice and human rights. But we get on these moral high grounds only to beat on them when we don't have a way out of our own trade deficit. Let's face it, they make stuffs that we don't want to make and at prices we like.

Sent by hc | 12:21 PM ET | 07-19-2007

If we are to have a truly global economy, then there needs to be fair competition for ALL businesses, large and small. This country has far too many "big box" and "one stop" shop stores that offer nothing but cheap goods. More consumers should really be asking the hard questions and voting with our wallets. Time to quit supporting the China trade of cheap goods and stop the consumption of the same. We as consumers simply have to demand quality, demand variety and vote with our wallets as well as casting our vote at the polls each election.

The favoritism shown to big business by the current administration has allowed far too much anticompetive activity in this country to go totally unchecked and has ultimately destroyed real selection for American consumers. In order for the USA to claim we are part of a true global economy, we should see more of our imported goods steming from a variety of small businesses, who are in turn importing a variety of goods from a host of global resources, not just China.

Sent by Rebecca | 1:32 PM ET | 07-19-2007

There should absolutely be full disclosure on the labels of all packaging as to where the item and its components come from - be it food or not. Further, American job loss is only the beginning of this mess. NAFTA, China and now the idea of loosing our American Dollar to a South American equivalent of a Euro is OUTRAGEOUS! When is our federal government going to focus on America? ...And this didn't just sprout from the Bush Administration...we can thank the Clinton Administration for the NAFTA brainchild.

Sent by JL | 1:42 PM ET | 07-19-2007

This "China" business is making all Asian feeling worse than ever - because everyone thinks all Asian look alike and so we all produce the same "quality" products. No! No! No! The fact that Chinese will do anything just to get money in their pockets don't mind that Asian that might have similar physical traits will appreciate that or not being harmed by such horrible un-humane products. In addition, I am wondering what does UN have to say about all this? While UN is there trying to say they are "protecting" the "world" and hold the "highest ethical standards"... well, I wonder how do they feel if their beloved ones are killed by the products from China? Furthermore, US government and politicans around the world shouldn't just try to focus on how much money they can bring / make to make themselves look good while they are in office. Think a bit further if you can. Even if you don't believe in karma, well, sooner or later, your offsprings will have no other choice but to consume all the toxic products - because what else is left? Even if you can find products that are made in USA.. how about the sources of the raw materials? Think again!

Sent by estees | 5:01 PM ET | 07-19-2007

The only way to break the addiction to consumption is by starting with yourself. Everytime you think you "want" something evaluate your "need". Does a birthday cake "need" candles? Once you have developed a new way of thinking about consumerism for yourself, you can teach your children (whether they still be in the home or adults living their own lives). Then you try to encourage your family and friends, with information and facts about products and the impact they may have on our country. Most people are not aware of the trend in our country away from production and towards services and warehousing of products made in other countries. Nor are they aware of the impact on our jobs. NPR ran a story about human rights violations in brick factories in China. We live in a rural community in Missouri where 2 major brick plants were shut down in the past 5 years, costing 1,000s of jobs, because it is cheaper to have children enslaved in China making those same bricks, with NO PAY. The NPR story only focused on the human rights violations in the Chinese brick plants and never mentioned the MO plants that were closed and the jobs that were lost. Both sets of facts should be reported so that we truly understand the direct impact to us in America.
There are 3 major products that we export to China; cotton, scrap metal, and paper/cardboard to be recyled. They use the cotton we grow to produce the textiles we use to produce here in America and the waste paper to make the cardboard boxes to ship the textile products back to us. The scrap metal is also used to make products that they ship back to us.
How do we change this cycle? One person at a time; start with yourself and then educate your family and friends. This same model can be used to change our "trash" behavior as well, by making the commitment ourselves to start recycling and encouraging others to do the same.

Sent by Wende Henley | 8:03 AM ET | 07-20-2007

I'd like to know the profit that "our american companies" are enjoying while importing and selling chinese products. Unfortunately this is ONLY about money and nothing we do or say is going to change it.

Sent by karl | 8:42 PM ET | 07-21-2007

I find it interesting that while Americans are "condeming" goods that are made in China, many of the goods made there are for American companies. So, if we start boycotting "Made in China" goods, are we then boycotting American companies, that will in turn, damage our own homegrown companies and economy?

Sent by Evelyn Lee | 3:48 AM ET | 07-22-2007

Clothing and shoes have been clearly labeled with their country of origin for decades, yet the American consumer doesn't care. These country of origin labeling requirements (along with really high import duties and restrictive import quotas) were put in place to protect American manufacturers. Even with these clothes and shoes containing labels stating the country of origin in big type, people still bought products NOT "Made in the USA" but from elsewhere. Hence, today, only 1% of all shoes and only 9% of all clothes sold in the United States are made here. Why? Becasue Americans what the best product at the best price. That is not a bad thing, though. Hardworking American families can now better afford to cloth and provide shoes for their children, something we all can hope we do. And we are helping hundreds of millions of people in China and elsewhere rise out of poverty.

Sent by Nate Herman | 11:25 AM ET | 07-23-2007

my beloved US citizens. wake up world does not mean North America. Its actually out 'there' .All quality and other sweat shop stuffs, please be aware, are part of volume ( in terms of production and population, tropical weather as well ;) . If America has more than 1 billion doubt the infrastructure can support it. So be pragmatic and come little out a prepared 'American Pride'

Sent by hero | 4:28 PM ET | 07-23-2007

This book is a waste of time and ridiculous. Trading is human nature and has been going on since the beginning of time. The exchange of goods and ideas is good for all of us. We in america has been spoiled. We should be studying the chinese market and learn how we can sell our services and goods. I have met many americans who just because it doen't go there way its someone elses fault. Well life is hard and business and competition is not always fair. Most of the middle class Chinese families lived through the 70's with very little. They had meat onces a week. Imagine 7 days a week 3 meals a day and only eating 1 dish with meat. Up till the 90's middle class families still lug propone gas 8+/- stories for heating water. Its not until recently that most middle class families had Central air and building with apartment that have gas hookup. The speed in which changes occured is estonding. Most jobs that have gone over seas are jobs americans don't want. Today, you go to a typical american diner and who cooks your food - a mexican (an illegal mexican that rents an apartment for $450 a month and shares it with 10 other mexicans in a 600 sf apartment with a leak in the middle of the room). Farms can't survive without illegal mexican workers. Try not to eat at a diner or drink milk or fruits without illegal mexican labor. Free competition - if we don't do business with the chinese someone else will. There are problems and most chinese are embaress about it as much as we are concern about it. Why do we waste time writing a book like this. A while back a society was created in NY to discredit that noodles were borrowed from china. I wonder if they have that in Italy. Only in america do we bother with such ridiculous wasted energy. We should instead send more of our kids there to learn more about how to compete with them. Don't make war - Trade will connect people and has since the beginning of time.

Sent by KEN | 12:19 AM ET | 07-24-2007

Ken, I don't think you listened to the story very closely...the author states that she feels buying things made in China makes her feel good, on the whole, because it makes her part of a multicultural world.

That said, I became irate listening to this story. I walked into a book store right afterward, and found other people saying the same thing - the story was obtuse, and seemed like a thinly-veiled pro-globalization plant. The clearest example is when the author states she can't find a coffee maker that is not made in China. I find it difficult to believe that she doesn't know about he existence of the French Press. I checked in a local store, and found that they were made in Germany.

Overall, this is one of the worst stories I've heard on NPR. I know that the right wing has attacked this organization mercilessly over the past several years for not being "balanced," but airing simplistic stories like these, that insult our intelligence and are commercials than news, is not my definition of balanced.

Sent by Kary Aloveah | 4:15 PM ET | 07-26-2007

I HAVE HATED CHINESE MADE TOOLS AND LANDSCAPING PRODUCTS A LOT THEY BREAK ALMOST INSTANTLY. AMERICAN MADE PIPES AND TOOLS ARE SO MUCH BETTER WHY CANT WWE HAVE THEM?

Sent by TERESA DURAN | 11:17 PM ET | 07-27-2007

While shopping for a bed for my cat and catnip toys at a very posh pet shop, I began to notice that everything was a product of China. I love my cat enough to not risk buying a pet bed that might have harmful stuffing or cloth treated with something harmful. I don't trust cat toys made in China. I have began a search ...everything I buy.
Toys for my children will no longer come from China with reports of harmful paints and and other safety problems. I refuse to buy anything from China because the products are poorly made and constantly being recalled. I believe that many American Companies make money from having their products made in China. Why not make an effort to take a few extra seconds to look at tags to see where the products you buy are made.....Protect your children, pets and family....don't buy from China....Made in America would be even better

Sent by Kevin Cavanaugh | 1:10 AM ET | 07-28-2007

How absurd to think that the provenance of an object has a magical meaning or that boycotting international goods will have any impact whatsoever (unless there is a government-sponsored boycott). Read Adam Smith and understand that every individual looks to improve his economic well-being. Only spoiled Americans who think they're being patriotic by only buying "American" goods could be that naive. Buy Chinese, buy Indian, buy Filipino, consuming helps the world economy. Better yet, be frugal, and stop buying stuff you don't need. (See George Carlin on "stuff".)

Sent by Sally | 11:06 AM ET | 07-30-2007

The claim that all ordinary coffee makers are made in China is false. Bunn coffee makers are made in USA. There are also coffee makers made in Italy and Japan such as Zojirushi Zutto.

Sent by George C Hill | 1:09 AM ET | 08-13-2007

Perhaps people will start realizing now that Fischer Price, Mattel, pet food, medicine had to be recall that TO BUY CHINESE IS DANGEROUS.
DANGEROUS TOO is the perfect large garlic full of growth hormones and genetically modified ALSO cheap crockery full of lead!!!!!!!

Sent by Jenny | 3:40 AM ET | 08-16-2007

First read "On Walden Pond" by Henry David Thoreau. Don't buy it at WalMart!!

2. We all know the planet cannot sustain all the consumption. The Chinese have been drawn into the net to supply our greed, they will become like us economically. Fat, overfed.

3. Lies told: Somehow, after 30 years trade has not changed the communist Chinese politics. This fairy tale is still told after Nixon opened China: that trade would end up in democracy for all. The biggest lie for the benefit of corporations.

Buy less, grow your own vegetables if you can. Gardening gets you off your duff. It's good exercise!!
Anyone jar their own food from their own garden or a local coop? They are out there.

Get to know your neighbors in the coop. Get off globalization and smell the roses in your own back yard.

Sent by Ginidir Marshall | 12:39 PM ET | 08-22-2007

I feel a little De Ja Vue here. In the early 50's and 60' we said the same thing about Japan but it worked out to the better

Sent by Ron | 12:49 AM ET | 09-09-2007

Ron,

I understand that in the 50's and 60's that Japan only produced cheap, low-quality, and non-technological goods. Then they started producing goods that were comparable in quality and in cost by purchasing liscenses to American technology (see Color TV). Thats when they started pulling a dirty trick to take over the market. The Japanese market became very patriotic at this time and refused to buy anything not made in Japan. Japanese companies took advantage of this by using their own people to subsidize their products sold in America. Products like Color TV's that were sold for the same price in both Japan and in America were now sold for half-price in America and double the price in Japan. Selling at half-price in the USA allowed Japanese companies to take over the entire market. Soon Japan took over technologically too as they were able to produce the first affordable and reasonably sized VCR's (American VCR's were thousands of dollars and the size of a refridgerator). Think about this though, Japan has a significantly smaller population than the USA and they were able to pull this off. China has a population more than 3 times as large. If China is at the point Japan was in maybe the 70's, what happens to the USA when China reaches the point Japan was in in the 80's and 90's? Will the USA even matter anymore? Being patriotic and only producing local goods may have allowed Japanese companies to rip off Japanese consumers in the short-term but it worked out for the Japanese people in the long term. Maybe copying the Japanese form of patriotism is the only chance we have.

Sent by David | 12:49 PM ET | 09-28-2007

Good one Cathy Shay... lets forget about the conditions people in other countries face... Poor conditions are EVERYWHERE!!! Why not simply focus on what is being said here!!!

Sent by Joel | 7:43 AM ET | 03-25-2008

I realise the value of other's comments on Made in America products, but people we have to start somewhere. Yes, we need to be more responsible. Yes, we have to deal with employment issues here, but if we are to save America, it has to start with taking a stand against the atrocity done by taking all our business to a Communist country.

Let's give America a chance to redeem ourselves.

Sent by Marcy Brooks | 1:59 PM ET | 03-25-2008