Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
Photo: Wikimedia
In an opinion piece for the New York Times, Professor of Economics Paulo Navarro has argued against buying Chinese products. He claims that the choice of a Chinese rather than American fabricator for the $34 million renovation of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is a “symbol of China’s assault on the American economy”.
He provides two economic reasons for the US not to outsource to China. Firstly, the quality and safety of Chinese products and secondly, the loss of US jobs resulting from using Chinese services instead of commissioning the work in the US. These are both contentious, and the latter is based on a protectionist argument which is not in line with the principle of free trade.
However, he also touches on human rights and environmental issues which provide a more compelling case for thinking twice about buying Chinese products and services. Chinese working conditions and workers’ legal rights fall well below acceptable international standards, with independent labour unions prohibited from functioning. And looking at environmental issues, China’s greenhouse gas emissions are now about 30% of the world’s total.
The US has imposed economic sanctions on countries such as Cuba, Burma and Syria for human rights abuse but despite its poor human rights record and persecution of ethnic minorities, China remains America’s main trading partner. Individuals and companies, however, still have the choice whether to buy “Made in China”.
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