More News and Site Updates... Note: Items with a [blue star] are written by Roger Simmermaker.      The new 'good' job: 12 bucks an hour Massive investment in renewable energy could ultimately create 4 million manufacturing jobs. But for the workers in the bottom rung of this movement, the shift to green jobs could very well mean a pay cut of nearly 60%, a trend spreading across the entire manufacturing sector. Many of the entry-level jobs making green energy components start at $12 an hour, much less than the now extinct $28 an hour job that had allowed high school-educated workers in the auto sector to achieve middle class status.    Dr. Peter Morici: Friday's US Jobs Report: Unemployment and stock prices heading up Manufacturing remains lower than a snake's belly, because GM and Chrysler are in bankruptcy, and non-auto manufacturing is caught between flagging consumer demand and exports from China subsidized by an artificially suppressed Chinese yuan. Also, China has beefed up subsidies to export recession wrought unemployment.    BAMW: Making your Memorial Day cookout All American On Memorial Day, many Americans will be firing up their outdoor grills for what has become the traditional start of the grilling season. Most will be throwing chicken, ribs, or beef on to the grill, but there's another American favorite you might consider that may be a little less traditional for grilling but certainly no less American.    Class War in America, the Ongoing Assault Protectionism. Capitalists were all for it before they were against it.    Lawmakers Hear Testimony on Importance of Manufacturing Sector to Economy Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) said that a "continuing loss of US manufacturing means a greater dependence on foreign factories to produce both everyday consumer goods and the key elements of our national security, including the building blocks of our nation's infrastructure and the equipment crucial to our nation's military."    TriActive Fitness E-Line Designed and Manufactured in U.S.A. New Made-in-America TriActive Fitness E-Line Outdoor Exercise Products Awarded Contractor Status for the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule. Made of recycled steel and e-coated for extended durability, the nine new E-Line outdoor exercise products are designed and manufactured in the United States.    'Born in the USA,' a fashionable rallying cry? From the East Coast to the West Coast, and everywhere in between, patriotism prevails with apparel and accessories companies forging ahead in honor of some good old American fashion. Bobbie Thomas, TODAY style editor and author of the Buzz column for In Touch Weekly, highlights brands that take pride in their "Made in the USA" label.    Cars hold up South Korean trade deal Under a free trade agreement, the U.S. would drop its 2.5% tariff on auto imports from South Korea. In turn, South Korea would phase out its 8% levy on American cars. The problem, however, is that South Korea is a much smaller market - and American cars suffer from an image problem. "Popularity is very low," say Kyung-Tae Lee, president of the Institute for International Trade in Seoul. "They say craftsmanship is much better (on) Japanese and European (cars) than American."    US lawmakers to revive China tariff bill "By illegally subsidizing its exports through the undervaluation of its currency by 30 per cent or more, China distorts the gains from trade, creates barriers to free and fair trade, harms US industries and has destroyed millions of US jobs," those sponsoring the bill said in a statement.    FDA Recalls Dangerous Face Paints Made In China The Shanghai Color Art Stationery Company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are issuing a recall for children's face paint that may be harmful when used. The FDA issued a recall after exposure to the product led to "rashes, itchiness, burning sensation, and swelling where the face paints were applied." The FDA tested the paint and found "significant microbial contamination" in "most of the products."    Don't bank on Panama trade pact for job gains In the State Department's own words, "Panama is an offshore financial center that includes offshore banks and various forms of shell companies that have been used by a wide range of criminal groups globally for money laundering."    US lawmakers target China currency policy "The time has come for Congress to stand up for American workers and not allow China to run roughshod over the American economy. With this legislation we will finally force China to stop cheating and level the playing field for America's manufacturers," said Republican Representative Tim Murphy.    Tour promotes buying American cars Jesse B. Jackson about a hundred joined the "Keep It Made in America" bus tour at the hall Tuesday. The tour utilized four buses to visit 36 cities in 11 states and aimed to bring attention to the 7 million jobs supported by the U.S. auto supply chain. The Alliance for American Manufacturing, the Mayors and Municipalities Automotive Coalition and the USW hosted the event.    BAMW: Buying tough American-made work boots isn't tough at all With the ranks of American manufacturing jobs wearing thin these days, wearing American-made work boots from The Union Boot Pro can show you're standing up for an American industry that is in danger of extinction.    Bellevue businessman charged in alleged honey-smuggling operation A Bellevue businessman and his Chinese partner have been charged in Seattle with conspiracy in connection with an international honey-smuggling operation. According to a news release, they hoped to avoid paying huge anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese honey by saying their product was from Thailand or the Philippines.    Honey importer charged A 68-year-old Bellevue resident is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States in a case involving honey imports. Authorities say Chung Po Liu submitted false paperwork to hide the origin of Chinese honey imports.Ê Liu and Boa Zhong Zhang, a citizen of China, were arrested this morning, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Authorities say the two conspired to avoid import fees by claiming the product was manufactured in Thailand or the Philippines.    Canada challenges U.S. meat labeling at WTO Canada took action against the United States at the World Trade Organization on Thursday over a U.S. meat labeling law that Canadian producers say has hurt their hog and cattle sales.    Laid-off Freightliner workers, union members protest outsourcing at Gastonia march Fraley called for government officials to increase import tariffs so that American manufacturers can compete with foreign plants whose workers earn less in wages and benefits. "The government is not doing what is right for this country," he said. "NAFTA has done more damage to the United States of America than any terrorist group ever could."    Auto workers blame NAFTA for layoffs "Free trade is something I always believe in from the standpoint we have to trade with different people," Representative Sue Myrick said. "That's what happens in a global economy."    Reviving industrial jobs could boost U.S. Using her own money, Michele Nash-Hoff wrote and published a book - "Can American Manufacturing Be Saved?" - and she'll be taking her campaign to the Del Mar Electronics Show on Wednesday and a Republican women's caucus next week. "Manufacturing is the foundation of the U.S. national economy and the foundation of the country's large middle class," Nash-Hoff said. "Losing the critical mass of the manufacturing base will result in larger state and federal budget deficits and a decline in U.S. living standards."    Governor signs 'Made in Georgia' bill Governor Sonny Perdue signed the "Made in Georgia" legislation (SB 44) requiring state agencies to give preference to locally produced items when purchasing or contracting for supplies, materials, equipment, or agricultural products. Nearly 10,000 manufacturing facilities are located in the state, providing jobs for approximately 450,000 Georgians.    Does the U.S. Need an Auto Industry? Without competition from American companies, nothing can stop foreign companies from raising prices, closing American factories or compromising quality. Foreign-owned companies owe no loyalty or corporate responsibility to America. We cannot claim to be an independent nation if our manufacturing base is under foreign ownership or foreign control. If you fly the American flag, then you should drive an American car.    Textiles laud 'made in USA' law The nation?s textile industry has been in a free-fall for years, like much of the U.S. manufacturing base. In an attempt to arrest the plunge, legislation recently passed in Congress mandates that uniforms and other textile products bought by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) be American-made.    Marchers to protest NAFTA in downtown Gastonia Saturday Union leaders from Freightliner are planning a march in downtown Gastonia on Saturday - a week ahead of another 80 layoffs at the Gastonia components and logistics plant - to protest the North American Free Trade Agreement.    Sen. Sherrod Brown wants to halt new trade deals pending review U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, concerned that President Barack Obama has backed off a pre-election pledge to get tough with trading partners over environmental and labor standards, called for a time-out Wednesday on new United States trade deals. Brown, an Ohio Democrat, said Wednesday, "If in fact President Obama does not open up NAFTA for review, we must not continue the failed system for future trade agreements."    American Cars Shouldn't Be Foreign to Liberals Roger Simmermaker, author of "How Americans Can Buy American: The Power of Consumer Patriotism," says buyers need to get past their foreign-brand loyalty and long-held misconceptions. "It's a really tough thing to get people to change their minds about the quality of American cars, but the quality is there," he says. The self-described protectionist also makes a patriotic argument that buying U.S. cars helps the country. American automakers have more factories in the United States, Simmermaker says-more than 100, compared to eight apiece for Toyota, Honda and Nissan. He says U.S. firms buy more parts from American companies and they pay more taxes to the U.S. government. "We should be supporting the companies that support America the most," Simmermaker says.    The Flip Side of the Perfect Prius Sometimes the cars accelerate on their own. Sometimes they stop dead. Drivers of the hybrid Prius have discovered they can be an unexpected adventure.    Canada revives WTO complaint on U.S. meat label law Discrimination against Canadian companies due to implementation of Buy American provisions in the recently passed U.S. stimulus bill has already appeared on some U.S. water and sewage treatment projects, prompting at least one Canadian city government to press for a ban on U.S. companies and goods doing business in Canada's public works sector, Canada's Trade Minister Stockwell Day said.    Nearly 400 Communities Pass 'Buy American' As of Friday, a "Buy American" resolution pushed by United Steelworkers members and the Alliance for American Manufacturing has passed in 362 states and municipalities nationwide. In all, more than 1,000 resolutions have been introduced in cities, towns, villages, states, school boards, counties and other localities from Akron, Ohio to Salt Lake City, Utah and beyond.    BAMW: Quality American-made cutlery and more If you've had trouble finding American-made kitchen cutlery, utensils, bakeware and other accessories at retail stores, maybe you should try shopping online instead.    Pipe Made in India Incenses Illinois Town Jeff Rains, a retired steelworker went out walking a month ago, and waited impatiently at a rail crossing while a freight train slowly passed, its flatbed cars stacked with steel pipes, each wide enough for a child to crawl through. Then he noticed "Made in India" stenciled on the pipes. Hundreds of sections of imported steel pipe have been moving into Granite City for use in an oil pipeline. The steel mill, meanwhile, has been shut since December for lack of orders - the first time in its 130-year history - and nearly 2,000 workers are on furlough.    Buy Indonesian label 'not protectionism' President Susilo Bambang Yudho-yono officially launched Wednesday the "Love Indonesia 100%" logo, a sign of the government's intensifying effort to bolster the consumption of domestic products. The campaign is aimed at helping local industries survive the impact of the global economic crisis, which has caused global demand for Indonesian products to shrink. "The 'Love Indonesia' campaign does not mean protectionism," Yudhoyono said.    Japan Pays Foreign Workers to Go Home Rita Yamaoka, a mother of three who immigrated from Brazil, recently lost her factory job here. Now, Japan has made her an offer she might not be able to refuse. The government will pay thousands of dollars to fly Mrs. Yamaoka; her husband, who is a Brazilian citizen of Japanese descent; and their family back to Brazil. But in exchange, Mrs. Yamaoka and her husband must agree never to seek to work in Japan again.    Free trade advocates overlook China's predatory trade policies A handful of individuals questioned whether it was such a good idea to be spending so much money moving materials, such as cotton, from the West Coast to the Far East and back when we had a perfectly good textile industry in the United States. The retail establishment - the Macy's, the Dillards, the Wal-Marts, the Targets - turned a deaf ear. Their attitude, in general, seemed to be: Don't bother us, we're making money here. If the United States could count on others to develop industries where they have an economic advantage and not use predatory pricing that would be one thing. But, too often, countries such as China have poured billions of dollars into industries where they had no such advantage unless you count dollar-a-day labor.    Pa. Senate urges local buying In an effort to deter further economic erosion, the Pennsylvania Senate is working on a resolution urging Pennsylvanians to buy domestic goods. Senate Resolution 62, which was referred to the Labor and Industry committee on April 2, said the economic downturn is having a "critical impact on everyday Americans" who are struggling to find jobs. It goes on to say that if recovery funds are reinvested into American products and services, it will help stabilize the economy, creating additional jobs and "restoring the economic vitality of our communities."    Iowa House passes "buy American" resolution The Iowa House has taken action on one measure so far this morning. It wasn't a bill, though. It was a resolution urging congress to "buy American" when spending the money in the federal economic stimulus package.    Steel Associations Protest Chinese Trade Policies on Steel Eight steel trade associations from three continents have jointly submitted comments to the Chinese Industry Policy Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology over trade policies in regard to steel. "Invariably, these problems can be traced to China's pursuit of industrial policies that rely on excessive, trade-distorting government interventions intended to promote or protect China's domestic industries."    Get American-made khakis and support a U.S. Military supplier Ever wondered how you could order from the same suppliers to the U.S. military for yourself on a consumer level?    Buying American: Helpful or hurtful for the struggling U.S. economy? "If you have a Toyota made in the U.S.A. and a Chevrolet made in the U.S.A., it does matter," said Simmermaker, whose book "How Americans Can Buy American" is in its third edition. "Toyota's having trouble, just like all the automakers, but Toyota doesn't need to be saved right now. General Motors does. Charity starts at home - let's keep our home companies operating."    Lawsuit alleges that Chinese drywall corrupted home, caused health problems Some unseen force was corroding Jill Donaldson's house. Almost immediately after she and her husband moved into the home they built in Pearl River in 2007, the coils in their air-conditioning system blackened and fizzled. The faucets in the master bathroom began to pock and rust. Three of their television sets burned out within a year.    China, 2 Chinese firms to buy 2 Delphi businesses Two Chinese companies and the Chinese government signed an agreement Monday to acquire Delphi Corp.'s brakes and suspension businesses, the most high-profile acquisition yet by the Chinese in the American auto industry. The Chinese auto supplier Tempo Group, which has its U.S. research and development operations in Canton, will acquire a 24% stake in the Delphi businesses. China's Capital Iron & Steel Co. will purchase a 51% stake, and the Beijing government will own the remaining 25%. The Delphi businesses will be owned by a new Chinese company called Beijing West Industries Co. Ltd., based in Beijing.    China Offers Subsidy to Boost Spending At Home Facing slumping demand for Chinese goods overseas, China's government is trying to stimulate consumption at home - spending $2.25 billion to subsidize discounts on made-in-China fridges, washing machines, mobile phones, TVs and cars for its rural residents.    Make America's economy greater while enjoying the great outdoors If you plan to spend more time enjoying the outdoors now that Spring is finally here and fishing is one of your hobbies, you might want to check out the American-made fishing reels by Ardent Outdoors.    Trade barriers rise as the recession's grip tightens Russia has raised tariffs on used cars. China has tightened import standards on food, banning Irish pork, among other things. India has banned Chinese toys. Argentina has tightened licensing requirements on auto parts, textiles and leather goods. And a dozen countries, from the United States to Australia, are subsidizing embattled automakers or car dealers.    Japan automakers' sales tumble in February Toyota Motor Corp., Japan's largest automaker, reported that worldwide auto production, fell by 49.6% in February from a year ago, to 434,179 units. February auto output in Japan fell by 64% and domestic sales were down by 32.5%, with exports falling 68.5%. Including the two subsidiaries, Japanese production was down 56.4%, domestic sales fell 25.2% and exports sank 68.4%.    China Draws Nearer China's low-cost manufacturing hubs, like the Pearl River Delta near Hong Kong, now control an overwhelming share of the world market in everything from toys to low-end electronics. "China has become the quintessential trading nation, whose international commerce dramatically increases its national power," notes David Zweig, an expert on China's trade and investment at the Center on China?s Transnational Relations at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.    'Buy American' pitch worries Canada Buried deep in the Water Quality Investment Act of 2009 -- a proposed piece of legislation that would grant billions to state and local governments -- Buy American is alive and well. Unless the water legislation is changed, John Hayward, president of Hayward Gordon Ltd., a small pump maker in Ontario, said he'll have to lay off more than 10 per cent of his work force and shift some production to the United States -- a scenario that could be replicated hundreds of times as Canadian suppliers are shut out of lucrative local projects.    BAMW: American Art on American-made canvases How would you like to beautify and brighten up every room in your home in a one-of-a-kind fashion that literally no one else could duplicate?    WTO to look into US rules on 'dolphin-safe' tuna The World Trade Organization will consider a complaint by Mexico next week alleging that U.S. rules on "dolphin-safe" tuna are illegal, according to an agenda released Tuesday. Mexico says U.S. labeling restrictions effectively exclude Mexican tuna from the U.S. market and have caused a third of the nation's tuna fleet to shut down.    U.S. to Toughen Its Stance On Trade The Obama administration is aggressively reworking U.S. trade policy to more strongly emphasize domestic and social issues, from the displacement of American workers to climate change.    Flying the flag Bryan Aldridge is betting that the recession will encourage more bosses to think like Mr Charles. He and a partner have just kicked off a new venture, My American Jobs, which plans to create a certification process to help customers identify products in which most of the materials and labour were sourced in America.    More catfish exporters escape US anti-dumping tariffs The US Department of Commerce has decided to abolish the imposition of anti-dumping tariffs on exports from two more Vietnamese catfish exporters, said the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors (VASEP).    Trade Concerns Raised in U.S. Climate Debate "If a U.S. company, say a steel mill in Ohio, if their cost goes up dramatically for cutting carbon, it's one more reason to think they're not going to be competitive.... They lose jobs. [The state] loses manufacturing," Senator Sherrod Brown said during an event on green jobs hosted by the Worldwatch Institute and Heinrich Böll Foundation. "We need some guarantee that my state will not be overwhelmed by the costs [of a climate change bill]."    EU slaps tariffs on U.S. biodiesel U.S. exporters of biodiesel to the EU must pay additional anti-dumping duties of up to 29 percent, and anti-subsidy duties of between 29-41 percent for an initial six months. The measure will start from Friday. As EU's biggest importing partner, the United States imported more than 1.5 million tons of goods in 2008, while in 2005, the import volume was 7,000 tons.    ECONOMIC PATRIOTISM (or, No Ford in My Futura) After years of "Free-trade" policies, which have primarily meant that anything could be imported into the United States market without tariffs - though generally, the exporting country doesn't reciprocate - the concept of protectionism is re-entering the discussion. And it's starting in France. This week, French President Nicolas Sarkozy put his foot down. While French carmakers are getting government funding (Citroen Peugeot, specifically), they may not take that money and open plants in the cheaper-labor Czech Republic. The French taxpayer's money must employ French autoworkers in French plants.    China's imports and exports tumble Lower prices can be good news for consumers. But in times of recession or economic slowdown, they are also a sign that demand has fallen and producers have had to lower prices to sell their products. China had seen double-digit growth since 2001 as consumers worldwide bought Chinese goods. However, exports were hit hard starting in late 2008 because of the global economic crisis.    Winchester plants to cut 450 jobs Winchester, Kentucky, will receive a triple blow to its economy this year as three automotive parts factories plan to cut more than 450 jobs from the community. The reductions reflect the wide reach of the plummeting automotive industry. Nissan, General Motors and Honda are the biggest customers of Niles America, Patterson said. Reflecting the drop in auto sales, Niles, a maker of switches for cars, has had their sales cut in half.    Obama may face trade showdown with Mexico if Congress ends funding for trucking program The Senate is considering a $410 billion House-passed spending bill that halts funding for the Mexican truck program. Two years ago, the Senate voted 74-24 to cut off the program's funding. Voting with the majority at the time were Obama and Joe Biden, now the vice president. Senate Republicans don't even plan trying to keep the program alive now that a Democrat is in the White House.    U.S. warns of need to fix "imbalance" in Doha talks The United States warned on Monday there would be no agreement in long-running world trade talks until other countries make stronger commitments to open their markets to U.S. goods.    Workers in sit-in to get jobs back under new owner The sale of a Chicago windows factory owned by Republic Windows & Doors where workers staged a six-day sit-in last December has been approved by a bankruptcy judge, clearing the way for the business to reopen in about a month and rehire those workers, union officials said. California-based Serious Materials, who plans to build energy-efficient windows at the site, will gradually rehire workers at the pay rate they received before the plant was shut down under an agreement with United Electrical Workers Local 1110.    Feds give AIG $30 billion more The company today reported a net fourth-quarter loss of $61.7 billion, the largest quarterly loss in U.S. history.    Bring back manufacturing A decade ago, Ross Perot phrased the famous line regarding the passage of NAFTA as "the giant sucking sound of jobs leaving the U.S." Nobody paid him much attention. Guess where those jobs went? Our homes and garages are packed full of imported stuff; it's time to buy "made in the USA."    Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger To Congress: My Pay Has Been Cut 40 Percent In Recent Years, Pension Terminated The reduced compensation has placed "pilots and their families in an untenable financial situation," Sullenberger said. "I do not know a single professional airline pilot who wants his or her children to follow in their footsteps." Sullenberger himself has started a consulting business to help make ends meet. Sullenberger's copilot Jeffrey B. Skiles added, "For the last six years, I have worked seven days a week between my two jobs just to maintain a middle class standard of living."    The Spectacular, Sudden Crash of the Global Economy For almost 40 years, smooth-talking snake-oil salesmen in well-tailored suits have pitched the wonders of a globalized economy. Politicians and pundits alike insisted that the wealthy states at the core of that worldwide economy could shift labor-intensive production to the poorer countries at the edges, in search of a cheaper pair of hands and less nettlesome regulations, and that ordinary working people would benefit.    Bill aims to halt Mexican truck travel in U.S. A $410 billion spending bill House Democrats presented Monday includes language that would prevent Mexican-licensed trucks from traveling beyond commercial zones along the U.S.-Mexico border. The wording is aimed at ending a pilot program backed by the Bush administration that permitted up to 500 U.S.-certified trucks access deep into the U.S.    Auto team drives imports Among the eight members named Friday to the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry and the 10 senior policy aides who will assist them in their work, two own American models. Gene Sperling, counsel to the Treasury Secretary, owns a 2003 Lincoln LS, and previously owned a 1993 Saturn SL2. Edward B. Montgomery, senior adviser to the Labor Department, owns a 1991 Harley-Davidson and previously owned a 1990 Ford Taurus L station wagon, public records show.    Buy America means more jobs For more than 75 years, Buy America laws have been on the books. So it would have been highly unusual if they did not apply to this massive new investment in America's infrastructure. Free market advocate Ronald Reagan actually expanded Buy America rules in 1982, in the midst of a recession. No trade war was sparked then; no trade war will be sparked now.    New Labatt USA owner may add jobs in Buffalo The new owner of Labatt USA says the business headquarters will stay in Buffalo, and it could add local jobs. KPS Capital Partners, a New York City-based private equity firm, has agreed to buy Labatt USA from Anheuser-Busch In- Bev for an undisclosed amount. The deal needs the approval of the U. S. Justice Department. KPS is also buying High Falls Brewing Co. of Rochester, maker of Genesee and Dundee brands.    'Made in the USA' label getting harder to find In January, 207,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs vanished in the largest one-month drop since October 1982. Factory activity is hovering at a 28-year low. Even before the recession, plants were hemorrhaging work to foreign competitors with cheap labor. And some companies were moving production overseas.    Obama vows honesty in budgets In 2008 alone, we paid $250 billion in interest on our debt - one in every 10 taxpayer dollars. That is more than three times what we spent on education that year; more than seven times what we spent on VA health care.    EU tariffs would be a setback for U.S. biodiesel The tariffs would be temporary but could be made permanent once the European Commission finishes an investigation of surging U.S. imports, according to Dow Jones Newswires. Nowhere in this story does it mention the Buy American provision of the Economic Stimulus bill as a reason, and the EU certainly doesn't seem to worry about retaliation for their increased tariffs.    BAMW: Shopping with Roger Have you had trouble finding and buying American-made products? Then buy what I buy!    Fate of American car is unclear Americans say they would rather buy domestically-made products. Three-quarters of 537 car shoppers surveyed on its Web site by Kelley Blue Book in December said they prefer to buy U.S.-made products.    NC congressman's 'buy American' provision enacted The law expands a rule that military uniforms be made and assembled in the United States to include textiles worn and used by Transportation Security Administration officers who monitor airports and other transportation systems.    'Buy American' Concerns Japan's Steel Industry Chief "It is quite regrettable because this kind of measure that prioritizes products made in one's own country might spread protectionism around the world," said Shoji Muneoka, chairman of the Japan Iron and Steel Federation.    Obama wants to reopen NAFTA but keep trade flowing "As I've said before, NAFTA, the basic framework of the agreement, has environmental and labor protections as side agreements. My argument has always been that we might as well incorporate them into the full agreement so that they're fully enforceable," he said in the interview with CBC television.    Toyota Takes the Knife to U.S. Labor Costs Toyota is offering buyouts to 18,000 U.S. workers, reducing wages, and slashing bonuses.    Check out China's "America is For Sale Expo 09" Expo in Beijing shows Chinese investors how to buy American assets.    FACTBOX: "Buy American" provision in U.S. stimulus bill The stimulus package includes about $48 billion in transportation projects, roughly $30 billion in infrastructure improvements and additional other spending that could be covered by the Buy American provision.    That 'Buy American' Provision Author Roger Simmermaker, Senator Sherrod Brown and others weigh in on a New York Times blog.    BAMW: Buying American, recovery, and reinvestment If you listen to most the media's misguided free market cheerleaders, the "Buy American" provision in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will prevent our economy from experiencing any kind of recovery or reinvestment.    Commentary: Free trade has sold out the American worker We face rampant protectionism across the globe. Pursuing a free trade agenda in a protectionist world is tantamount to unilateral disarmament.    Unions call for "Buy Canadian" policy The CAW and the USW criticized Canada's response to the U.S. provision on Tuesday, saying it ignored the fact that Buy American rules for federal purchases have existed since 1933 and that Buy American rules for state and local transport infrastructure have existed since 1982.    Stimulus Plan Has Limited 'Buy America' Provisions United Steelworkers Union president Leo Gerard says America's trading partners are hypocritical. "The European economic union has stronger Buy European provisions than we do in the U.S. law," says Gerard. "When the Chinese put forward their multi-trillion dollar economic renewal program, they didn't buy any products here. In fact, they flooded our market with dumped products."    House member open to Senate "Buy American" plan The Senate Buy American provision is broader than the House version in one important way because it requires public works projects funded by the stimulus bill to use U.S.-made manufactured goods in addition to U.S.-made iron and steel.    CAT chairman named to Obama's team Other advisory board members include former SEC Chairman William Donaldson; Harvard University professor Martin Feldstein, General Electric Co. CEO Jeffrey R. Immelt; and two labor officials ? Anna Burger of Service Employees International Union and Richard Trumka of the AFL-CIO.    LETTER: Stimulus bill should be for America Buying foreign goods and materials puts foreigners to work and stimulates their economies, not ours - unless you want to count the low-paying retail sales jobs where foreign-made goods are sold. Even Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says Americans need to buy more "domestically produced products."    Tentative deal on Senate stimulus bill There are funds, as well, for construction of highways and bridges, and it also includes a "Buy American" protectionist measure for iron and steel that has drawn strong criticism from major U.S. trading partners including Japan, Australia and Canada.    U.S. FDA Reports Show Unapproved Chemicals Used by Largest Chilean Salmon Farms; Pew Urges FDA to Increase, Expand Tests on Imported Farmed Fish The documents further show that the farmed salmon containing residues of unapproved chemicals were destined for the U.S. market.    Wal-Mart Aims To Go Green With Global Supply Chain Makeover Wouldn't it be much easier and cheaper to just return to manufacturing goods in the U.S. instead of trying to monitor and change the rest of the world?    Ports to begin clean-trucks fee on cargo after delays The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles will begin collecting a $35 per cargo container fee on Feb. 18 to help subsidize the replacement of thousands of polluting trucks, it was announced Wednesday. The fee is expected to raise about $1 million a day or about $1billion over the next few years at both San Pedro Bay ports to finance 80 percent of the cost to replace many of the 17,000 trucks that are a leading source of air pollution in the region, said Richard D. Steinke, executive director of Port of Long Beach.    Institute proposing fish farm in federal waters "We really have a choice as a country," said Michael Rubino, aquaculture chief for the U.S. oceanic administration. "If we are going to eat more seafood, we are either going to import more of it - and most of that is from aquaculture - or we can choose to grow more of it at home."    To Survive, Americans Must Assert Themselves as Economic Patriots Last year, the Government Accountability Office reported that "Buy America" policies are effective by "protecting domestic employment through national infrastructure improvements that can stimulate economic activity and create jobs; protecting against unfair competition from foreign firms as a result of foreign government subsidies; and maintaining national security interests through the continued use and development of certain industries within the U.S. economy, like the iron and steel industries."    Is Obama Forgetting About Main Street? A country that month after month after month records trade deficits in the range of $50 billion to $60 billion--astronomical levels of imbalance between what is spent on imports versus what is earned from exports--is failing to compete, or even to function, in the global economy. And it certainly is not influencing the shape of that economy for the betterment of workers at home or abroad.    Unless we rebuild our manufacturing base, America cannot restore prosperity Millions of American manufacturing jobs have now been lost, as they have been outsourced to other nations of the world. America has been transformed from a powerful engine of manufacturing to a docile service economy, and this has been disastrous for our nation and our workers.    Why Buy American? The allowing of multinational entities to dictate and control American trade policy through their unashamedly bribery of public officials, with contributions and lobbying jobs, has created a situation in which the American worker and citizen has all but no say in the economic policy of our country.    Buy American: Rethinking Smoot-Hawley It's high time to stop treating "protectionism" like a dirty word when you're talking about protecting American jobs and industry. Look at the real numbers of Americans not just unemployed (rising by the week) but underemployed (the downsized worker from Sun Microsystems whose job went to India and is now working at Starbucks) and also those who have simply given up looking for work. Protectionism? Damned straight, Skippy. And high time for it, too.    Is America Weighed Down By 'Dead Ideas'? In his new book, The Tyranny of Dead Ideas, Matt Miller writes that while many of our current notions of economic and social well-being made sense when they first gained traction 50 years ago, they don't hold much water today. On the list of outmoded beliefs: the ideas that our children will earn more than we do; that free trade is good; that financial markets can regulate themselves; that taxes are bad; and that the company we work for should provide us with health care and pensions.    BAMW: There is no constitutional right to import Now that the House of Representatives has passed, and the U.S. Senate is considering, an economic stimulus bill which includes a "Buy American" provision that pretty much prohibits purchasing foreign iron and steel for projects involving rebuilding America's infrastructure, foreign countries across the globe are complaining as if to suggest our U.S. Constitution has it's own clause that guarantees foreign counties' right to import into the United States.    Steel-state lawmakers vow to save 'Buy American' Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican, was expected to offer an amendment to strip the Buy American provision from the Senate's stimulus bill, while other lawmakers were working on changes to make sure it was consistent with U.S. trade pacts.    Senate OKs auto-buying incentive plan Essentially, the amendment would make interest and sales taxes deductible on new-vehicle purchases for the remainder of the year, says Dennis DesRosiers, president of DesRosiers Automotive Consultants in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.    Obama's free traders mum on protection "[I]n this case, when American taxpayers are paying a huge amount of money to stimulate jobs in the United States, the argument can be made that the extra cost to the government and the slight antagonism of foreign governments may be worth it," said Reich, who sparred with Summers and Clinton Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin over trade. He said if the U.S. stimulus bill leads foreign governments to pass similar bills benefiting their own domestic industries, "so much the better."    Top Republican: Scrap 'buy American' stimulus clause The US Senate should strip a "Buy American" clause from President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan, the chamber's top Republican said Monday amid anger at the restriction from US allies.    Obama facing dilemma over protectionism The "buy American" provisions would require major public works projects to favor U.S. steel, iron and manufacturing over imports.    Detroit's pain reaches state The Pend Oreille Mine, the largest employer in a sparsely populated area north of Spokane near the Canadian border, is closing indefinitely Feb. 16 because of plummeting zinc prices, leaving 217 workers without jobs. Zinc is used to make steel rustproof for use in cars and trucks, among other products.    More Layoffs at Caterpillar More than 2,000 CAT employees in Illinois were notified Friday that they would be laid off beginning April 13th. More than 750 production, support, and management employees in East Peoria have been laid off.    Buy American, buy local In days gone by, we did not rely on foreign production as we do now. Historically, we never had trade deficits that were not in our favor. We did not toss away American workers and decent products for inferior, foreign-made goods to save a few dollars here and there. In the past, we as a people made what we bought, and we bought those goods in stores owned and run by our neighbors. We looked out for one another by basing our buying decisions on pride of workmanship, quality and country.    Longaberger unveils pottery made in U.S.A. "Made in America matters," company president and chief executive Tami Longaberger said in a press release. "Rebuilding our nation's economy requires an investment in America and its workers. It is the right thing to do. It is what we're about."    'Buy American' not protectionism, says union Instead of complaining about U.S. policies, Gerard said the Canadian government should work to protect their own domestic industry.    Wiley Rein Wins Diamond Sawblade Dumping Appeal The Court of International Trade ruling comes too late for two members of the U.S. coalition, which Pickard told us have gone out of business. But the remaining U.S. manufacturers, he said, can now expect a level playing field in the diamond sawblade industry: In the next few weeks the U.S. Department of Commerce will begin to collect deposits on the imported blades.    WTO Agrees to Rule of Chinese Complaint The United States has imposed anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on two types of steel pipes, pneumatic tires and woven sacks, the Financial Times reported Tuesday. Dumping is the practice of selling products abroad at prices lower than the products fetch in the producer country.    Home inspectors learning more about dangerous Chinese drywall Inspectors say copper wiring found in air conditioning units seems to break down because of the sulfur compounds being put off from the Chinese drywall. "What we learned is that the Chinese drywall was shipped into Port Manatee in Tampa, and then distributed to local suppliers."    Drywall case expands The Gypsum Association said its analysis of government trade data found about 300 million square feet of drywall from China was imported into the U.S. from 2006 to 2007. Experts say dozens of Southwest Florida builders might have used the material. "It's going to be the exception to be a builder that wasn't touched by this," Foreman said.    Bills push for Hoosiers to "buy American" The buy-American bill, sponsored by David L. Niezgodski, D - South Bend, gives a $1,000 tax credit to Hoosiers who buy construction equipment, cars, trucks, tractors or recreational vehicles that includes 70 percent of American-made products.    GE, Caterpillar Fight 'Buy American' Rule in Stimulus General Electric Co. and Caterpillar Inc. are among U.S. exporters that oppose "Buy American" provisions in the $825 billion stimulus legislation, saying it might spark a trade war. The companies say that proposals pushed by companies such as U.S. Steel Corp. and Nucor Corp. to limit spending in the stimulus plan to American-made iron and steel risk igniting retaliation from other countries.    US and France at War over Food Tariffs France and the United States are engaged in another food war, and this time it's not over fries. The French government was infuriated by the legacy that President George W. Bush implemented right before leaving office: enacting a colossal tax on France's prized Roquefort cheese. While he imposed a 100 percent import duty on many products from the European Union, the former US President singled out the pungent blue cheese for a 300 percent tariff.    Geithner signals tougher stance on China Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner says President Barack Obama believes China is "manipulating" its currency, a declaration that American manufacturers have long sought in their efforts to combat America's soaring trade deficit with China.    BAMW: American-made products for American outdoor living There's a friendly and growing company in the largest alpine valley in America, inside the beautiful Sierra Valley of California, that offers American-made products that embody the pioneer spirit when America was discovered and settled.    Florida Citrus Faces Tax War in Battle over Orange Juice Imports Florida Department of Citrus officials have been warned a proposed new tax on orange juice imports faces a certain legal challenge, but foreign importers have threatened a much bigger fight against the federal tariff on OJ imports if the Florida Legislature approves the new tax. Eliminating the federal tariff would wipe out any competitive advantage Florida citrus growers have against the citrus industry in Brazil, the world's largest orange grower and juice processor. Brazil is also the source of most OJ imports to Florida and would bear the burden of any new state imports tax.    China Slams Geithner's Comments on Currency A top official at China's central bank hit back Saturday at comments by U.S. Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner, who said the Obama administration believes that China is manipulating its currency. "We should avoid any excuse that might lead to the revitalization of trade protectionism. Because it will do no good to the fight against the crisis, nor will it help the healthy and stable development of the global economy," Su said during a visit to a Beijing business newspaper.    China Jittery About Obama Amid Signs of Harder Line China starts off on weaker footing with Mr. Obama than it did with his predecessor, George W. Bush. Mr. Bush and his last Treasury secretary, Henry M. Paulson Jr., cultivated Chinese leaders and refused to call Beijing a manipulator.    Our Current Economic Environment Is No Longer Sustainable The reality, however, is that Sherrod Brown, the junior Senator from Ohio, just gets it, writing in an April Op-Ed piece "Eight times I have taken the oath of office to support and defend the United States. My colleagues and I commit ourselves to protecting our nation from all enemies, foreign and domestic. That includes protecting our neighborhoods from unsafe products. And, yes, that also means protecting our workers and businesses from unfair competition."    'Buy American' support builds as sales fall "Buy American" is a revived sentiment these days in Michigan, particularly after lawmakers from states where foreign automakers have operations opposed loans to Detroit automakers. A 2007 Free Press poll found that only 15% of Michigan families owned a car from a foreign-owned company. In the United States, about half the new passenger vehicles purchased are products of the foreign-owned companies.    Bowling balls rolling again at Muskegon plant Taking up the Brunswick Corp. tradition of bowling ball production that was moved to Mexico in 2006, a small independent producer of bowling items has launched a new line of professional-grade balls. The Motiv line of bowling balls is being made out of the Wilbur Products plant in Muskegon Heights.    Obama Team Reviewing 'Buy American' Plank in Stimulus President-elect Barack Obama's advisers are looking at including a "buy American" provision in the economic-stimulus legislation that the incoming administration has made its first priority. "We are reviewing the buy American proposal and we are committed to a plan that will save or create 3 million jobs, including jobs in manufacturing," said Jen Psaki, a spokeswoman for Obama's transition team.    The U.S. Trade Deficit Caused the Recession and the Financial Crisis The recession and financial crisis has been caused by the transfer of jobs and our wealth to foreign countries. First we lost our jobs, and then our wealth.    Made in America: True independence Unfortunately, America has little production capacity to build storage batteries any more. There are some small start-up companies in America hoping to build batteries, but chances are they would struggle to meet the huge, growing demand. It is sad to see our country developing new vehicles and having to rely on foreign companies to power them. Can we learn nothing from our past?    Look At All Those New Cars As we watched and they commented on relatives lost long ago, I would periodically ask my father-in-law, "How did you ever get by without foreign cars?" No Toyotas, no Hondas, no Kia or Subaru, and yet somehow these people seemed happy. They had a nice home, a nice car, a good Christmas for the kids, and all on a middle-class income.    A123 Systems plans U.S. battery production Battery maker A123 Systems plans to build automotive battery manufacturing facilities in the United States and has applied for $1.84 billion in government loans to fund the construction, the company said on Wednesday.    New Round Lake Beach business sells only U.S.-made merchandise Nitai Pandya and Mia Kenig-Bujnarowski recently opened American Aisle, a shop where all the merchandise is made in the United States.    Unhealthy trading Despite trade and health issues, Chinese producers and cohorts are using a number of other countries as transshipment points to conceal the origin of their honey before it enters this country.    BAMW: Toys Made in America Have you been looking for toys made in America? Then why not visit www.toysmadeinAmerica.com, where you'll see literally dozens of links to all kinds of toys, games, puzzles, books and sports accessories?    US steel industry urges 'buy America' recovery plan Daniel DiMicco, chairman and chief executive of Nucor Corp (NUE.N), a giant steel maker, told the paper the industry was asking the incoming administration to "deal with the worst economic slowdown in our lifetime through a recovery program that has in every provision a 'buy America' clause."    U.S. blocks China trade dispute at WTO China is objecting to duties imposed by Washington to counter what it sees as unfairly priced imports. According to U.S. authorities, the goods were sold in the U.S. market for less than they cost at home and benefited from subsidies.    China protests US import duties at WTO: report Import duties on four product categories including steel pipes and off-road tyres were first levied by the United States in September. Despite China's protests, the US International Trade Commission claimed the duties were necessary to offset subsidies by the Chinese government to those exports, the report said.    Cooper Tire to close Georgia facility, affecting 1,400 jobs Cooper Tire cited pressure from increased lower-priced imports and softening domestic demand for products.    Administration refuses to cite China on currency But in the report, which must be submitted to Congress every six months, the administration said China did not meet the standards set in U.S. law for being cited as a currency manipulator.    George Bush, Protectionist Bush may believe he has sinned against free-market principles, but he is following the path of his great free-market predecessor. Ronald Reagan, too, was not prepared to see Japan take down the U.S. auto industry, or steel industry, or computer chip industry, or Harley-Davidson.    US drags China to WTO over 'protectionist' policy We are going to the WTO today because we are determined to use all resources available to fight industrial policies that aim to unfairly promote Chinese-branded products at the expense of American interests, said US Trade Representative Susan Schwab.    Hypocrisy of auto buyers of America As you are sitting in your car at an intersection, take a look around you at what kind of vehicles surround you. You will be aware, as I have become, that the vast majority of the cars Sioux Falls drivers are driving are either pickups, minivans or SUVs. Detroit made the mistake of following one of the oldest rules of capitalism - make the products that are most profitable and most popular with the buying public.    Trade Barriers Toughen With Global Slump Moving to shield battered domestic manufacturers from foreign imports, Indonesia is slapping restrictions on at least 500 products this month, demanding special licenses and new fees on imports. Russia is hiking tariffs on imported cars, poultry and pork. France is launching a state fund to protect French companies from foreign takeovers. Officials in Argentina and Brazil are seeking to raise tariffs on products from imported wine and textiles to leather goods and peaches, according to the World Trade Organization.    Woes of U.S. auto industry cross border into Mexico Volkswagen is producing nearly as many vehicles in Mexico as GM. Just two weeks ago, Norwegian automotive supplier Kongsberg Automotive announced it would close facilities in Ohio and Kansas and move work to Mexico. China's state-owned FAW Group is building an auto-assembly plant in Michoacan state that by 2010, will be the first to produce Chinese cars in Mexico.    BAMW: Welcome to the Congressional Car Company, Inc. Apparently the Bush Administration thinks the government can run a car company better than the longtime American auto executives who they charge with being unable to "come up with" a viable solution for success.    SW Florida man makes a statement about the economy by refusing to decorate There are signs of the season inside Tom Shoecraft's home: a real tree with homemade decorations from his five grandkids. He says it's their future he worries about most. Roger Simmermaker, Florida-based author of "How Americans Can Buy American" also recommends these sites: ChristmasbyKrebs.com, ByersChoice.com, ChristmasForest.com for Christmas wreaths and ornaments made in the USA. U.S. made artificial Christmas trees can be found at uschristmastree.com.    Toyota Forecasts Its First Operating Loss in 71 Years I guess Toyota isn't building cars people want to buy either.    Bush outlines auto bailout conditions His plan requires carmakers to show positive net value by March 31 and strive to reduce two-thirds of their debt. Detroit's Big Three also must get their wage structure with the United Auto Workers union competitive with foreign-owned carmakers who manufacture in the United States by the end of 2009.    Over 3,000 Unsafe Toys From China Seized In Florida A total of 2,160 plastic toy airplanes and 1,440 plastic toy rattles were taken into custody, because they either were found to be in violation of the small parts requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and pose choking hazard to young children, or had high quantities of lead paint on them.    Can you buy All-American this Christmas? In his 2008 book, "How Americans Can Buy American: The Power of Consumer Patriotism," Roger Simmermaker reports a 2007 study showing that 33 percent of Americans say they would be willing to pay four times as much for American-made toys.    Mom, Apple Pie, and Hyundai? India imposes a 100 percent tariff on imported U.S. vehicles. China's tariff rate is 25 percent. Korea has long-run national anti-import campaigns that include targeting for tax audits anyone who buys a foreign car. Unless foreign economic protectionism is confronted immediately and at the highest levels of the U.S. government, the American auto industry cannot survive.    GM puts Volt engine plant on hold to conserve cash GM said it is putting the brakes on the construction of a factory in Flint, Mich., set to make 1.4-liter engines for the Chevrolet Cruze and the Chevy Volt plug-in electric car.    Another South-North fight over labor Ford and GM each obtain at least 80 percent of their parts from American factories. Toyota, Honda and Nissan get only 45 percent to 55 percent of their parts from the U.S., according to car industry observer Roger Simmermaker.    Senators carping about Big Three tax subsidies should look at plants in their backyard When Alabama gave Mercedes-Benz $253 million to build a factory there ($168,000 per job), that was considered a good thing. Honda was worth $158 million, and Hyundai's Southern site choice forced the state to cough up $234 million more. In 2003, Mercedes brought in Polish workers on questionable B-1 work visas to expand the factory because they could be paid far less than the local workforce.    Toyota Delays U.S. Plant Opening Indefinitely Well whaddya know! Toyota may not build the Prius in America after all. Could it be because sales of the Prius were down 48.3% in November? Are the people not buying Priuses the same ones that claim the Big Three don't build cars people want to buy?    Local CEO: Buy American And You Shall Be Rewarded! Mount Vernon Businessman Offers Employees Serious Cash Incentives To Buy U.S.-Made Cars And Trucks. $500 To Buy Or Lease 'Big 3' Car; $1,000 If It Gets 30 MPG    No Jobs, No Recovery The different wage scales in past history has required tariffs so as not to destroy the economies of all nations. Tariff is not a dirty word. It has been used to correct disparities in wages for thousands of years.    Port approves $3.5 million rise in tariffs The $3.5 million from tariffs will go toward increasing the port's reserve fund, which has about $19 million, LaRue said. Reserve funds are tapped to handle infrastructure demands, such as those that will be needed for projects such as the proposed La Quinta Trade Gateway Terminal, or in case of natural or man-made disasters, he added.    China says to take more steps to help industry The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said in a statement that industrial output growth continued to slow in November, from the 8.2 percent annual pace in October, and that some industries had faced 'serious difficulties' during that month.    Made in America is motto of American Aisle Only U.S.-manufactured products offered in Round Lake Beach store. One would think that the store must be owned by an American. Not so. The owner is an immigrant from India and his working partner is from Poland.    Made In America For many products, there are benefits to manufacturing them in the U.S.    Carolina Manufacturers Fear Fall of Chinese Trade Barriers Some hard-hit Carolina textile and apparel manufacturers are bracing for another blow to their industry when restrictions on Chinese imports expire at the end of the year.    Domestic Steel Producers Feeling Sore Over Soaring Imports from China Steel demand is slack and prices are low because sales of automobiles and appliances are down and residential construction is weak. So it?s not surprising that U.S. steel producers were dismayed when imports of Chinese finished steel products in October reached 713,000 net tons, an all-time monthly high.    Half of Americans say NAFTA has mainly negative effect on the economy In August, a slim majority of American respondents (53%) told Gallup that the effect of NAFTA on the U.S. economy has been "mainly negative," while 37% said the effect has been "mainly positive."