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The U.S. Content of “Made in China” Posted by Sam Erica on 2/14, 6:40pm | ||
From the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco:What part of the cost of goods “Made in China” is actually due to the cost of these imports and what part reflects the value added by U.S. transportation, wholesale, and retail activities? That is, what is the U.S. content of “Made in China”? The author fails to bring to our attention that the remaining 4.2% would be an overhead even if the goods were produced in the US. If the author inadvertently forgot to incorporate that effect then he's incompetent. If he omitted it intentionally, it's propaganda. If he didn't know of that effect then he's ignorant. If he collaborates with other journalists with this type of misleading report then he's your political and philosophical enemy. (The transportation across the Pacific is a factor but I don't know if it would accrue to the US, China or to some other carrier.) You can’t have an economy that produces nothing but services. If all you’re producing is haircuts, massages, retail sales, lube jobs, etc. there is an imbalance in international payments, and the effect will sooner or later come home to roost. I’m not arguing against free trade … I’m arguing for a balance of payments. Sam | ||
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