Letters: Put tariffs on Chinese imports

Your Oct. 10 editorial "The Chinese puzzle" raises many valid aspects of the gigantic trade imbalance between our two nations. Our addiction to the low prices provided by Chinese manufacturing could be compared to a junkie's craving for more heroin; both ultimately result in disaster. For us, it is the loss of self-reliance and jobs. To add insult to injury, many U.S. corporations have contributed to this ongoing jobs exodus by outsourcing.

It is in the best interests of both the Chinese and U.S. corporations to continue the present strategy, as it maximizes profits and market share. For the corporations, an added benefit is that high unemployment here keeps downward pressure on the wages they must still pay to those Americans whose jobs they haven't yet outsourced.

Free trade by definition pits U.S. workers against the world market. Complicating the matter are foreign government subsidies, currency manipulation and lax environmental laws. We can sit back and painfully wait for the U.S. and Chinese standards of living to equalize to the point where our workforce can be competitive, only to find we are now competing with India or another low-cost nation.

Alternately, our government "of the people, by the people and for the people" could work toward fair trade instead of free trade. A 10 percent tariff on the trade imbalance with China would generate money toward our deficit and simultaneously stimulate job growth at home. Consider the 10 percent extra you pay for that item made in China an investment in your country.

Don't hold your breath waiting for this to happen, though. Rich and corporate donors have bought and paid for your government, and the status quo is working for them just fine.

Stephen Martin, Wading River
 

Having listened to our politicians' fantasies on creating jobs, I was pleased to see that Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) intends to legislate the Chinese currency imbalance in the import and exportation of goods.

American manufacturers have been the backbone of full employment in America for centuries. We need answers about how to become the world's greatest manufacturer of quality goods once again.

The previous administration opened the floodgates to Asian manufacturers. We have already seen many product recalls on items produced overseas that have violated or failed to meet American standards.

If need be, we must claw back those jobs that we lost. I would tax all items made overseas for U.S. companies, up to the cost if the item had been made in the United States. I would also forbid use of the American brand name on items made overseas.

Gordon Findlay, Valley Stream
 

I am puzzled that such highly educated people as U.S. senators can be so naïve as to think that levying a 25 percent or 30 percent duty penalty on certain Chinese products can put American industry back to work and lessen unemployment.

For a given period, the American consumer would pay more for the products that carry the extra duty, increasing inflation. It would take time for American industry to gear up its production to fill the orders. In the meantime, the Chinese could move their production to countries like Vietnam, Thailand, India or their newfound "friend," Pakistan.

Would we then put the same penalty duty on products from those countries, too? There are much better and safer ways to help American industry.

Tom Haack, East Northport