caryking said:
BBW12OG said:
I've been in the construction industry for over 26 years.
This is not a good thing.
It is nothing but a ploy for political points and both parties do it.
I will break it down as it affects the construction industry. We deal with this crap every second of the day.
The United States can put tariffs on imports that originate and land in the United States.
Example: Canada imports raw steel materials from China. Bar steel, plate steel. Those raw materials are shipped to manufacturers to create a "finished" product. Grader blades, snow plow blades, bull dozer edges, ends etc..... Canadian law does not require the "Made in China", "Product of China" stamps.
The United States does. Country of origin regardless of point of completion is required. Especially with China.
This puts the United States at a huge disadvantage trade wise and globally when every other developed country is beholden to China more than we are.
Cost of construction is ridiculous. Now, we are going to have to compete with Canadian suppliers, manufacturers of steel and aluminum. United States workers in foundries and blade/edge manufacturers are going lose a lot of business and employees.
I'll remind everyone that I said BOTH parties do it. And worst part of this is that they can't be honest with the American people on a broad scale about how much we are dependent upon China.
So, how do we fix the problem?
Exactly.
That is the question. The answer is there is NO WAY to fix the problem.
China has been building for this for over 100 years. They have the world in the palm of their hands.
Imagine them cutting off ALL exports out of their country unless the world bowed to them. Not saying they would, but if they did..... don't think the results would be good.
The situation is only going to get worse. If the move toward mining rare earth metals continues and the entire world other than China has environmental policies in place they are only going to get more powerful.
It is not a "conspiracy theory" it is a fact.
I live it every single day. My company purchases virgin tungsten carbide from China. No additives, recycled or mixes. Pure tungsten carbide. I've seen pictures of the extraction plant. Looks like a bad science fiction D movie from the 80's but its not. It is the real conditions.
That is what the world has come to. Paying people for stuff as long as it doesn't hurt ourselves. Again.. we are beholden to China and will always be.