More News and Site Updates... Note: Items with a [blue star] are written by Roger Simmermaker.      CANADA SEEKING BUY AMERICAN EXEMPTIONS Canadian companies have a history of providing unique goods and services to support American government projects. And in light of the Biden Administration’s strong Buy America policy, Canadian politicians and trade officials are attempting to secure at least some exemptions from Buy American. Canadian officials are scrambling to put some kind of collaborative framework in place as both governments roll out extensive recovery programs in response to the COVID-induced recession.    Goodyear Agrees to Buy Cooper Tire for About $2.8 Billion Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. agreed to buy Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. for about $2.8 billion, strengthening its position as No. 1 in the U.S. market and almost doubling its presence in China, where auto sales are surging again.    Rep. Garamendi Meets With President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary Buttigieg In Oval Office To Discuss Infrastructure Bill Rep. Garamendi, a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, led a discussion at the meeting on the need to advance "Buy American" policies in any forthcoming infrastructure bill. Garamendi has championed Buy American legislation through his "Make it in America" agenda in Congress over the past 10 years. Garamendi emphasized the importance of modernizing our nation's outdated infrastructure and advancing the Biden Administration's "Build Back Better" plan with American products made by American workers.    FTC Reaches Six Figure Settlement With Promotional Products Company Over "Made in USA" Claims The Federal Trade Commission announced that it reached a settlement with promotional products company Gennex Media, resolving allegations that the company made false, misleading, and unsupported claims that its "Brandnex" products are made in the United States. As part of the settlement, the company and its owner agreed to pay $146,000.    Walmart Gets Behind U.S. Manufacturing With 10-year, $350 Billion Investment Walmart Inc. announced that it’s investing $350 billion over the next decade on products made, grown or assembled in the U.S. The retailer, which is focusing on six priority categories, including plastics, textiles, small electrical appliances, food processing, pharmaceutical and medical supplies, and Goods Not For Resale, estimated the commitment will support 750,000 new jobs.    Ohio Stoneware continues to thrive and expand I went to college with Tim, my best friend, and after college, he started his own highly successful company. Tim designed new machines to manufacture this new product along with taking a lot of financial risk. Then some 35 years later, the Chinese communists started buying the product. As time went by, the communists became the biggest customer and spent more and more time at Tim's manufacturing facility. Then when Tim was in his 60s, the communists copied the manufacturing process in China and used cheap labor to put Tim out of business.    Ohio Stoneware continues to thrive and expand Owner Tiffany Pattison said "There continues to be a desire in this country to buy American-made products, and we have been fortunate to find a niche with products that have not been moved to China and have kept us successful." Their products are long lasting and safe, said Tiffany, free of lead and cadmium. "They can be a family heirloom for generations," she said.    AMERICANS LOVE TO "BUY AMERICAN" The Coalition for a Prosperous America recently analyzed the Moving Forward Act and found that its five-year, $1.5 trillion infrastructure investment plan could create 2.5 million U.S. jobs by 2025. But here’s something else to consider. If Congress included strict federal “Buy America” provisions in the bill, the overall package could generate a 33% larger boost to the economy — and create a total of 3.3 million jobs by 2025.    January American Legion Magazine reflects on Gulf War lessons National Commander James W. "Bill" Oxford outlines The American Legion's priorities for the 117th Congress, including a Buddy Check Week, legislation mandating a "Buy American" policy for federal agencies, a fully funded VA and a constitutional amendment to prohibit flag desecration.    AMERICANS LOVE TO "BUY AMERICAN" The idea of Buying American is popular. A recent poll by TradeVistas, showed overwhelming support for the sentiment among all political leanings. About 75 percent of Americans support a policy mandating that the federal government use domestic suppliers when possible.    The Sunshine Economy: Competing In The Global Mask Market From Miami Demetech borrowed and invested millions of dollars to make masks. The company created a new business line and, along with it, had kept its 300 workers employed while adding hundreds of jobs. "That was our goal — keep our workers working," said vice president Luis Arguello Jr. "We've on-boarded about 1,000 [new employees] for the PPE side."    BAMW: Support American-made small businesses this Black Friday The 'Buy American' strategy has always been more than walking into a store, looking at products on the shelves, and hoping that store offers made in the USA merchandise. Many small companies make products in America that aren't on the shelves of big-box stores or on Amazon that deserve our consumer support. So, I have featured three great small companies that I have recently learned about that are of particular interest.    Aphria to Acquire U.S. Brewer for $300 Million Aphria is reaching across the border for a new acquisition. The Canadian marijuana company announced Wednesday that it has reached an agreement to buy American beer maker SW Brewing Company, also known as SweetWater Brewing.     FDA Identifies "Essential Medicines" for US As part of the administration’s campaign to reduce the United States’ reliance on an increasingly global pharmaceutical supply chain and to minimize potential shortages for critical drugs, FDA has published a list of those drugs and medical products considered critical for addressing public health emergencies. The list will provide a basis for bolstering biopharmaceutical production at home of essential medicines and medical products and for addressing supply chain vulnerabilities.     No Stop And Go A total of 70 steel gantries have been installed at 58 tolling points on the Thruway’s ticketed system. The gantries will replace the current toll plazas, which are scheduled to be removed in Phase 2 of the project, which will finish in the fall of 2021. The gantries were built utilizing approximately 3.5 million pounds of 100% American-made steel and hundreds of New York workers in accordance with the “New York Buy American” Act at LMC Industrial Contractors Inc. in Livingston County.    Pandemic Cuts America's Lead Over China as Most Powerful Nation in Asia China is closing in on the U.S. as the most powerful country influencing the Asia-Pacific, as America’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic tarnishes its reputation, a study showed. While America retained its place as the region’s top superpower, its 10-point lead on China two years ago has been halved, according to the Sydney-based Lowy Institute's Asia Power Index for 2020, which ranks 26 nations and territories.    LETTER: Oppose Communism, avoid Chinese products Communist China is not our friend. Our manufacturers who moved to China gave them our expertise in designing and manufacturing, thus boosting their economy and enabling them to become a world power. We need to make an effort to buy American-made products whenever possible. If enough of us do this, some of our manufacturers will return to the U.S., thus boosting our economy and reducing unemployment.    Manufacturers Come Back to America U.S. companies contemplating bringing some/all their manufacturing back to the States take heed: Most Americans want to buy American – and are willing to pay more for domestically made items, new survey data reveals. More than 69% of consumers and industrial buyers prefer buying U.S. made products – and more than 83% are willing to pay up to 20% more to have a “Made in the USA” sticker on said product. These results are according to a survey earlier this year conducted by the Reshoring Institute, Shale Directories reports.    US needs to overhaul its medical supply chains, bipartisan lawmakers agree Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., said the U.S. needs a "soup-to-nuts" view of the specific supply chains that have national security importance. Ms. Slotkin is the lead sponsor of the Made in America Medical Supply Chain Initiative, a package of six bills aimed at decreasing dependence on foreign medical supply chains. The package includes a $500 million pilot program to incentivize domestic manufacturers to produce critical supplies such as personal protective equipment.    Senator reintroduces legislation to support U.S. shipbuilders “For decades in Wisconsin, we’ve worked to make things: paper, engines, tools and ships. These manufacturing jobs have created shared prosperity for generations and strengthened the economic security of hard-working families across our state,” Sen. Baldwin said in a prepared statement. “Strong Buy American standards drive local economic growth and create good paying jobs that support Wisconsin families. And because American workers are the best in the world, these standards also ensure that the federal government, including our military, purchases the highest quality ships and parts needed to carry out its various missions. The Made in America Shipbuilding Act is about doing right by workers in Wisconsin and across the country, and I am urging my Senate colleagues to support this legislation.”    Detroit plant completely reconfigured in a $2.2 billion renovation to only make EVs GM has converted and renamed its Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center into the automaker's new sustainable flagship electric vehicle manufacturing plant, Factory Zero. Factory Zero will supply over 2,200 jobs when the plant is finished and running. General Motors invested $2.2 billion into the plant, the most the automaker has ever invested into an assembly center.    BAMW: The U.S. must beat China one, if by land, and two, if by space We are already in danger of witnessing China's surpassing the United States in critical areas economically, technologically, and militarily. Fortunately, Senator Cory Gardener (R-CO) has proposed two amendments to a NASA appropriations bill, which would make it easier for us to determine if agency contractors are linked to Chinese companies. After all, Chinese companies and Chinese communism are one and the same. Despite contrary arguments by the communist party, Chinese companies cannot operate independently from the state.    LETTER: Pandemic proves the wisdom of Buy American It can be hoped that everyone will remember the origin of COVID-19 when they next go to purchase goods. Trying to save a dollar at the discount outlet will not send a message to those controlling the country that loosed COVID-19 and some of the previous outbreaks on the world. No matter the political persuasion involved, right now is an unusually excellent time for everyone to “Buy American.”    Navigating the new 'buy American' drug landscape: opportunities for some, pitfalls for others There is no question that companies that manufacture drugs and medical devices domestically stand to benefit under the executive order. Yet the order may have hidden consequences, perhaps unintended, that offer significant opportunities for companies that manufacture overseas. It also may create new risks for domestic manufacturers that supply drugs and devices in national procurements or tenders issued by foreign governments.    BAMW: American action alert: Sign the petition to help our farmers and ranchers! The United States economy suffers a $13.6 billion annual loss to its largest sector of American agriculture: the U.S. cattle industry. Because of this injustice, I am inviting every American to join a national grassroots campaign to raise awareness for immediate legislative or executive action to reinstate M-COOL for beef to support America’s hardworking cattle farmers and ranchers.    U.S. Department of the Interior to Use U.S. Manufactured Drones Yesterday, Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt sent a memo to Department leadership specifying that leadership may purchase approved U.S. manufactured solutions. “The memo outlines clearance to buy American-made small unmanned aircraft systems (referred to as Blue sUAS), where there are needs to do so in the field for fighting wildland fires, conducting search and rescue operations, completing training exercises and more,” says a DOI release.     Get Ready to See 'Green' Beer-Can Labels on Michelob Ultra About 70% of the aluminum used in AB InBev’s cans in North America is recycled, and the brewer will further reduce emissions by pairing it with new “low-carbon” aluminum that Rio Tinto produces from smelters in Canada    The U.S. needs to support American-made medicines In a recent op-ed, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn and Deputy Commissioner Anand Shah wrote that the pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of our medical supply chains like never before, and there seems to be an upsurge in bipartisan support for policies to encourage American-made medicines.    Buying "Made in China" May Support Slave Labor The Global Slavery [Index] published by the Minderoo Foundation “estimates that on any given day in 2016 there were over 3.8 million people living in conditions of modern slavery in China, a prevalence of 2.8 victims for every thousand people in the country. This estimate does not include figures on organ trafficking…Much of its rapid economic development has been the result of a domestic economy specialising in the production of labour-intensive, cheap goods for export.    Troy-Bilt(R) Tackles Tough Trimming With New TB22TM Trimmer Mower Headquartered in Valley City, Ohio, and with multiple manufacturing locations across the country, including Ohio, Tennessee and Mississippi, Troy-Bilt is committed to the communities it's a part of and keeping America working as hard as it can. For more information, visit troybilt.com.    American-made masks by a Veteran-owned company TheFlagShirt.com, a site dedicated to all patriotic apparel. Through the hard work and determination of the entire Lord Daniel family, they have succeeded in building a successful business that is truly dedicated to the American Spirit and honoring and sharing patriotism regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation.    US Congress representatives spruik balance of 'Buy American' reforms McGinn says, "US government officials have called for the 'reshoring' of domestic industrial capacity in several areas in recent weeks. Whether it is the production of pharmaceuticals and personal protective equipment, or the development of microelectronics, specialty chemicals and materials, calls for a significant increase in US manufacturing capabilities are coming through loud and clear. This makes complete sense, but how do we do this reshoring? "The solution is not an autarkic 'Buy America'-only approach that would be counterproductive to our long-term economic health.    AMERICANS LOVE TO "BUY AMERICAN" Overall, three out of four Americans (75 percent) say they support Buy American policies requiring the federal government to buy from domestic suppliers whenever possible.* Nearly half – 48 percent – say they “strongly support” the policy, while just 5 percent of Americans say they are either “somewhat” or “strongly” opposed, while 21 percent were “indifferent.”    BAMW: Our Founding Fathers Rejected FREE TRADE And So Should We If we were ever to lose our status as the world’s number one superpower to China, we would no longer be in the best position to spread our version of democracy and worldviews around the globe. Instead of exporting democracy, we would be exporting hypocrisy as no nation would follow or listen to a world power that is not number one.    New Simmermaker book shows how to put the 'tough' in 'tough on China' We cannot let China surpass us to become the world’s number one superpower economically, technologically, and/or militarily. If we do, will Americans take to the streets chanting, "We're number two, we're number two!"? I doubt it. Second place means second tier and second rate. That's not America.    Roger Simmermaker on CSC Talk Radio October 8, 2020 Roger Simmermaker will be a guest on CSC Talk Radio on October 8, 2020 from 10:19 am - 10:44 CST to discuss Buying American and my new book "UNCONSTITUTIONAL: Our Founding Fathers Rejected FREE TRADE And So Should We." CSC (Common Sense Conversation) Radio can be heard live online at http://csctalkradio.com/, on podcast, as well as many radio stations live (mostly across the Midwest). I hope you'll listen in!    What If Things Were Made in America Again: One Man's Plan James A. Stuber could not have imagined his 2017 book, What if Things Were Made in America Again, would resonate so clearly and loudly in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic, the militaristic nationalist rise of China and the focus on impact investing. Not only these events, but also the growing awareness of the environmental consequences of our purchases. Finally, addressing the political and social instability caused by the shrunken industrial economy, which is now a priority.    Volkswagen to pump $17.5 billion into China's electric cars German car giant Volkswagen on Monday announced a fresh 15 billion euro ($17.5 billion) splurge on China's vast electric vehicle potential. China accounts for around 40 percent of the Wolfsburg-based automaker's sales. Locally-produced new energy vehicles in China will be equipped with batteries from Chinese supplier CATL from this year.    Dangerous Chinese counterfeit goods are pouring into America, here's how we stop it: Morgan, Navarro Every month, under the flag of Operation Mega Flex, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) does an enhanced inspection of small parcels arriving, primarily, from China. Over the course of 14 monthly “blitz operations,” a decidedly unlucky 13% of the Made-in-China packages inspected have contained a type of counterfeit product or other contraband that can defraud, harm, or even kill Americans.    BAMW: No more farmed or foreign fish! Did you know that farmed salmon is naturally gray and often dyed pink so that it looks like consumers have come to expect? Alaska exports two-thirds of its sustainably-harvested seafood to foreign markets such as China and Japan. U.S. consumers have unknowingly downgraded their own seafood supply. It is quite ironic that the United States exports the very best fish and imports some of the worst seafood alternatives.    More Wagyu for You: Black Hawk Farms Yesterday, I told you about experiencing Japanese black wagyu — often considered the finest of all beef — but there is another option closer to home if you’re interested. Black Hawk Farms is located outside of Princeton, Ky., between Bowling Green and Paducah. This family-run operation has farmed its land for more than 40 years, and its defining difference is that its American wagyu cattle live their entire lives on the farm, raised on grain that is grown on the property.    Oxford man leaves office job to start one of the largest dahlia farms in US "I try and impact that policy to have a better future for the American farmer and flower farmers," he said. Which also means encouraging people to buy local and buy American. He asks all of us to look for this logo when we purchase flowers. "Today only around 20 percent of the flowers that you see in the store are actually grown in the United States," he said But Michael is proud to be part of that 20 percent. He loves these flowers, and his father, Frank - who passed away in 2018, agreed the dahlias were special.    Judge Clears China's Harbin to Buy Bankrupt Vitamin Seller GNC Vitamin seller GNC Holdings Inc. won court approval to sell itself to its largest shareholder, China’s Harbin Pharmaceutical Group Co. , despite national-security concerns raised by Sen. Marco Rubio. Judge Karen Owens signed off on the sale at a hearing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Del. Sen. Rubio (R., Fla.) called for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., or Cfius, to examine the sale to Harbin, warning it could give China access to data about U.S. consumers.    Ford's Electric F-150 Expansion Plan: $700 Million, 300 New Jobs at Michigan Factory Ford will spend about $700 million to expand its River Rouge plant, adding 300 jobs at the sprawling, century-old complex a few miles from the company’s Dearborn, Mich., headquarters. “We can’t have a strong economy, or a strong democracy, without a strong manufacturing base,” Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford said. “This is not and should not be a political issue. But it does have to be a national mission.” Ford builds more vehicles in America than General Motors Co. , even though GM sells more in the country. GM and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV each build more vehicles in Mexico than Ford, according to data from research firm Ward’s Intelligence.    The pandemic has revealed the cracks in US manufacturing: Here's how to fix them Decades of “offshoring” domestic manufacturing to other countries have led the U.S. to the current crisis. It has seriously damaged the nation’s industrial base, increased income inequality and caused stagnation in U.S. living standards. How the U.S. responds will determine the long-term health and prosperity of the nation. The rising importance of shareholder profits in corporate decisions led companies to claim that the only way to remain competitive was by moving offshore to minimize production costs. In the U.S., investment shifted from manufacturing to marketing, branding, and research and development. With far fewer factories and factory jobs, the nation moved to a post-industrial “knowledge economy” driven by information technology, software, advanced communication and cutting-edge basic research.    8 Reasons U.S. Manufacturing Is Great 1. Manufacturing creates strong middle-class jobs. 2. Manufacturing jobs create dignity. 3. Manufacturing creates wealth for a nation. 4. Manufacturing is critical during wars. 5. Factories are safer than ever before. 6. U.S. factories are the clean ones. 7. Workers with good jobs are more likely to be healthy. 8. Manufacturing research is a creativity machine    GNC deal with Chinese-owned Harbin Pharmaceuticals sparks national security concerns GNC stores are near or on dozens of military bases, such as Andrews Air Force Base, Quantico, 29 Palms, and others, the letters say. The deal would grant Harbin access to consumer data on millions of people, including thousands of members of the military.    Communicorp recalls plush Aflac Doctor Duck - The product violates the federal lead content ban The buttons on the lab coat worn by the Doctor Duck contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content standard. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues. The ducks, manufactured in China, were sold directly to Aflac employees and licensed agents from January 2005, through July 2020, for between $3 and $5, and distributed as a promotional giveaway item to customers.    When Made in USA doesn't actually mean what it says | Opinion One of the most brazenly bogus claims was made by a company that manufactures pulley blocks used in a variety of lifting applications. Steel plates saying “Made in USA” were affixed to the products before they ever entered this country from overseas. Williams-Sonoma has run afoul of Made in USA rules twice in the past few years. In 2018, the FTC received reports that the company was advertising its Pottery Barn Teen organic mattress pads as “Crafted in America from local and imported materials” when they were actually made in China.    Opinion | The China challenge Cheap Chinese goods flooded into America, even as Chinese trade barriers inhibited the export of U.S. goods to the country. American factories closed with jobs lost. We now awaken to a dangerous dependence on China for critical goods, including pharmaceuticals, certain electronics and rare earth minerals important to national defense. Mr. Market has no idea where this great power impasse is going.    Wages Soar More Than 25% in Key Region of Battleground State Two of the region’s metropolitan areas -- Fond du Lac, just north of Milwaukee, and Racine, just south -- rank first and fifth nationally in wage gains. A quick perusal of the jobs site Indeed.com shows that Foxconn has many openings at the plant site. They offer at least $15-an-hour. And some promise as much as $75,000 a year.    Respiratory protection in the age of COVID-19 What important lessons have we learned from COVID-19?... Lastly, buy American made. With borders closed, nonessential businesses shutting down and strained international shipping services, sourcing products and materials from outside the United States is proving difficult. Buying American made means faster lead times, economic growth and more jobs for Americans as we band together to protect each other.    Pandemic shows US must make vital products at home As the coronavirus pandemic swept the world, we as a country were required at times to depend on other nations for materials crucial to our health and wellness. We must find out the lesson. Our vulnerability to undependable foreign supply chains for products we depend on, specifically in emergency situations, needs attention. We must motivate a range of domestic makers of medications and individual protective devices, so that we are less susceptible when other supply chains stop working, as they performed in China previously this year.     Grow your own tea? Yaupon holly is an evergreen holly with small green leaves on stiff branches. The plant is an excellent choice for organic production because, as a native plant, it is adapted to Florida conditions and requires very few inputs. It is great for an edible landscape because it is ornamental and useful for tea.    Made in America 2030: A Smart Infrastructure and Industrial Strategy Can Make Post-COVID America Stronger A Made in America 2030 program can boost the economy and address many of our long-term economic and national security weaknesses. Congress should consider a $5 trillion ten-year program, divided equally between rebuilding aging US infrastructure and an industrial strategy to rebuild vital American industrial capabilities.    American Made General Store to open Saturday; mayor's pleased with business growth Business in Brookland has grown with a bank being built and the American Made General Store opening Saturday. The shelves are stocked and ready. As the name suggests, everything in the store is made in America.    Want to Design Your Dream Bed With a Click? Our Helix Mattress Review is For You Helix mattresses are 100% American-made, hand-assembled and custom-built in its facilities located across the U.S.A.     New Bipartisan Senate Bill Joins Outcry for American-Made PPE Add another piece of legislation that calls for U.S.-made production of personal protective equipment (PPE) under consideration in Congress, joining a growing chorus around the critical supply-chain issue. U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) on Tuesday introduced bipartisan legislation that will strengthen efforts to onshore production of personal protective equipment (PPE).    New U.S. Company to Manufacture Meltblown Nonwovens American Elite Molding, a manufacturer of cable ties, announces the start-up of a new company to address the dire need for U.S.-manufactured materials for the personal protective equipment market in the U.S. The new company, (American Elite PPE), will begin production of meltblown polypropylene, the critical filter medium used in medical grade face masks and gowns, in early September 2020.    China Says Frozen Chicken Wings from Brazil Test Positive for Virus Consumers in the Chinese city of Shenzhen have been urged to exercise caution when buying imported frozen food after a surface sample of chicken wings from Brazil tested positive for coronavirus, according to a statement from the local government.    Lupin first company to shift manufacturing of some drugs from India to US after Trump's 'Buy American' order Lupin has started shifting the manufacture of some drugs from India to the US, following the US government's policy of 'Buy American', directing federal agencies to give priority to drugs made in US factories, CEO Vinita Gupta told Moneycontrol during an interview.    Hong Kong goods exported to the US must now be labeled 'made in China' Hong Kong exporters to the United States will no longer be able to label their goods as “Made in Hong Kong” after Washington cancelled the city’s special trading status in protest at Beijing’s sweeping new security law. The US Customs and Border Protection agency said in a notice on its website on Tuesday that all exports from Hong Kong must in future indicate their origin as China.    Trump administration seeks to force Chinese companies listed in U.S. to comply with accounting rules or delist The proposal addresses a long-simmering dispute over U.S. regulators’ inability to inspect the accounting quality of Chinese companies that sell shares here. Under the plan, Chinese firms that are already listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market would have to comply by 2022 — or give up their listings on those exchanges.    U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy reintroduces 'Buy American' legislation Murphy, who unsuccessfully introduced the legislation on two earlier occasions, added the nonpartisan Economic Policy Institute concluded the 21st Century Buy American Act would create up to 100,000 jobs. The senator added that anyone who claimed to be “a champion of U.S. manufacturing should support this legislation.”    DeFazio: infrastructure jobs, buy American key to recovery We will need jobs and infrastructure improvements that create millions of jobs in construction,” DeFazio said. “But there will also be jobs created in design, engineering and manufacturing.” And jobs can be multiplied if the United States imposes a “Buy America” mentality by no longer buying equipment from countries like China.    Manufacturing group accuses Metro of sidestepping 'Buy America' clause for new rail cars A steelworkers’ group accused the D.C. Metro of violating a federal “Buy American” clause as it searches for a company to build $1 billion worth of new rail cars. But Metro says no U.S. company can do the job.    U.S. ISM Manufacturing Expands at Fastest Pace Since March 2019 U.S. manufacturing expanded in July at the fastest pace since March 2019 as more factories boosted production in the face of firmer orders and lean inventories. The Institute for Supply Management said Monday that its manufacturing gauge increased to 54.2 last month from 52.6.    Domestic bedding comeback gaining momentum, producers say “We are seeing a movement toward American-made products,” said Nick Bates, president of Spring Air International. “Retailers are looking for domestic mattress brands to partner with, in part because consumers are now coming in and asking for U.S.-made beds. The pandemic has a lot of consumers concerned about health, germs and their overall well-being, and in today’s climate, there is comfort and assurance in buying from a U.S. manufacturer.”    US small business bailout money flowed to Chinese-owned companies, analysis shows According to a review of publicly available loan data by strategy consulting firm Horizon Advisory, $192 million to $419 million has gone to more than 125 companies that Chinese entities own or invest in. Many of the loans were quite sizable; at least 32 Chinese companies received loans worth more than $1 million, with those totaling as much as $180 million.    Struggling U.S. manufacturers pivot to one product where sales are actually booming: Masks With about half of U.S. states now requiring that masks be worn in public and most large retailers and grocery stores mandating them in their stores, masks are not just helping keep coronavirus at bay — they are providing a financial lifeline to many small businesses that might otherwise be looking into the abyss.    Restoring the American Pharmaceutical Industry Rosemary Gibson, Senior Advisor at the Hastings Center and author of China Rx: Exposing the Risks of America’s Dependence on China for Medicine testified before Congress that “Small businesses with expertise in chemistry and pharmaceutical engineering are ready to produce the most critically needed medicines and their ingredients all in the United States using advanced manufacturing technology that lowers the cost of generic drugs.”    7-Eleven plans expansion to 20,000 US stores after Speedway buy Japanese retail group Seven & I Holdings plans to expand its web of U.S. convenience stores to 20,000 following the $21 billion deal to buy American counterpart Speedway, it was learned Monday.    Manufacturing group accuses Metro of sidestepping 'Buy America' clause for new rail cars The Alliance for American Manufacturing sent a letter to Metro board members on Thursday decrying the transit agency’s use of what it termed an “accounting gimmick” to avoid federal requirements that 70 percent of the cost of components that go into Metro’s 8000 Series rail cars and that final assembly stay in the United States.    Buy American? Let's Buy a Future for American Workers | Opinion Regardless of party or affiliation, public policy makers and officials at all levels of government will promote plans to generate growth. Policies that direct dollars to American companies through government procurement spending are rapidly gaining traction. Taxpayers' dollars should buy goods and services needed to do the public's work while boosting the American economy. Bravo to that. But generating jobs, while good, is just not good enough. We should ensure these funds tilt toward companies that provide good jobs for American workers.    Norcross Ensures Unprecedented 'Buy American' Provisions in NDAA Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), Chair of the Tactical Air and Land Forces (TAL) Subcommittee in the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), ensured America would bring manufacturing and high-quality jobs back home by authoring provisions in H.R. 6395 the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) to enhance â€�Buy American’ standards for major defense acquisition programs.    Graham introduces bill aimed at investing in domestic PPE production The "U.S. MADE Act of 2020", introduced alongside Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R - W. Va.) and Mike Rounds (R - S.D.), would, if passed, establish an investment credit for qualifying PPE manufacturing projects. Eligible U.S. manufacturers would get a 30% credit against equipment costs associated with manufacturing PPE. “It’s so important that we take every opportunity to buy American made products and support American business,” said Senator Capito.    Acting OMB Head Russell Vought Urges Agencies to Leverage 'Acquisition Flexibilities', Domestic Production Russell Vought, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), is directing agencies to accelerate payments to contractors and comply with the “Buy American” initiative to boost domestic production of resources like steel. “Through smart buying for America, we will deliver the services our citizens need more rapidly while strengthening our nation's economic recovery from the effects of the pandemic,” he said.     Fact check: Majority of Hallmark cards made in USA, a fraction made in China Most Hallmark greeting cards sold in the United States are produced by Hallmark employees in the greeting card production center in Lawrence, Kansas. Hallmark cards with specialized processes, such as die cut, glitter, flock and foil stamp are produced in Lawrence. Most of Hallmark wrapping paper, ribbons and bows are made at the manufacturing plant in Leavenworth, Kansas.    Mark Cuban-backed company helps you buy American-made products on Amazon Cultivate has two facets. First, there’s a website where you can search for anything you want: maybe coffee beans or socks or an iPhone case, and it’ll return results for items it says are made in the U.S. that you can buy on Amazon. Or, you can install a plug-in for the Google Chrome browser, and it’ll automatically show you similar items that are for sale on Amazon.    Is 'trade" a four-letter word? Fred Hochberg, former chairman and president of the Export-Import Bank, and the author of Free Trade Is Not A Four-Letter Word, would have you believe (as the book title indicates) trade is not a four-letter word. However, he advocates free trade, and the word â€�free’ is, in fact, a four-letter word. Close enough. It's easy to see why Hochberg has a love affair with free trade. His mother created a multimillion-dollar mail order catalog company selling everything from clothing to toys, partly by buying products that were made in China when Nixon opened up to trade with the communist country.    U.S. Steel restarting blast furnaces amid uptick in demand U.S. Steel said it will restart its idled #6 blast furnace at its Gary Works in Indiana after the July 4 holiday weekend to meet an upturn in demand. The move follows the restart of the #1 blast furnace at the steelmaker’s Edgar Thomson plant in the Mon Valley in early June. Both furnaces were temporarily shuttered in late April due to lower demand during the pandemic.    Bringing the Factories Home In the 1960s, manufacturing made up 25% of U.S. gross domestic product. It’s barely 11% today. More than five million American manufacturing jobs have been lost since 2000. A 2018 White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy study noted that, since 2000, America’s defense industry has shed more than 20,000 U.S.-based manufacturing companies.    U.S. shipbuilding suppliers support moves to strengthen "Buy American" requirements “As a nation, we’re currently struggling to manufacture adequate health care materials to protect our nation; we don’t want to be in the position where we can’t design, build and equip U.S. warships without a dependency on other countries,” said George Williams, CEO of American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association (ASSA).    Representatives introduce federal funding bill for airports Three Democratic representatives introduced legislation Monday that would provide $1.8 billion in low-interest federal loans and loan guarantees for airport projects. The Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) would require that all TIFIA-funded airport projects adhere to existing “Buy American” requirements under the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program.    U.S. Nut Glut Is So Big Branches Are Breaking From Heavy Crops The U.S. is the world’s largest producer and shipper of tree nuts like almonds, walnuts and pecans. More than half of the crop is typically exported, so the $9.5 billion industry hinges on international trade. That’s being undercut even as global appetite grows for the healthy snacks. For almonds, America’s biggest nut crop, export prices are down about 25% from a year ago, according to estimates from Rabobank International. Other varieties have seen similar declines.    Williams-Sonoma to pay $1M fine for made-in-USA claims The FTC said Williams-Sonoma Inc. will pay a $1 million fine to the agency for making for making false, misleading or unsubstantiated claims that certain of its products are all, or virtually all, made in the United States. The San Francisco-based firm had made the claims in connection with its Goldtouch Bakeware products, its Rejuvenation-branded products and its Pottery Barn Teen and Pottery Barn Kids-branded upholstered furniture products.    Soft-Tex International Doubles U.S. Production Capacity Soft-Tex has recently more than doubled its production capacity in its Waterford, NY-based factory and through other US-based production partners responding to surging demand for Soft-Tex’s luxury products. In addition to the current growth, Soft-Tex has launched a corporate initiative to expand U.S.-based production by at least 20% a year for the next 5 years and is actively looking to increase domestic production capabilities through launching of a merger and acquisition task force.    This Shaq-Approved Jeans Brand Just Launched a Kickstarter Campaign If the denim industry’s post-pandemic predictions come true, more consumers will begin to look closer to home for quality, tailor-made goods instead of fast fashion. It’s a forecast that would bode well for Red Cotton Denim, a "Made in USA” denim brand founded by U.S. Navy veteran Camillo Love. The brand already produces custom jeans for a select number of clients, including NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.    Outdoor Brand Hack - How to Affordably Manufacture Apparel in the US So, you own or work for a surf, snow, or general outdoor brand. Chances are, your brand sells apparel or “soft goods” that are made in Asia. But, did you know that Made-in-USA is also a great option? You’re probably thinking, yeah, but it’s too expensive and not worth it. Think again. In fact, there are high quality and cost-effective apparel factories right here in the USA and the benefits are worth investigating. Labor costs can be higher in the US, but after you factor in overseas shipping, tariffs, increasing labor costs in Asia, and large minimum order requirements, you may find that a small increase in cost is worth it to get your product in a few days domestically, rather than 6 to 9 months overseas.    Detroit Bikes brings Schwinn production back to U.S. Founded nine years ago, Detroit Bikes LLC now produces up to 10,000 bikes a year, says CEO Zak Pashak. And it’s poised this month to begin assembling 500 copies of Schwinn’s classic Collegiate cruiser in a new partnership for an American brand that traces its lineage to 1895 Chicago. This is the first time Schwinns have been manufactured in the U.S. in a long time. The price is higher than other Schwinn models, one way the Canadian-owned Schwinn brand can assess demand for future, higher-priced American-made Schwinn products.    U.S.has real chance to bring manufacturing home from China Growing disillusionment with China, heightened by misgivings over Beijing's initial handling of the coronavirus pandemic, presents the U.S. with the opportunity to launch a drive to bring manufacturing back home. The time is certainly ripe for a reshoring drive. The changing cost equation in China is one reason. With productivity growth stalled and the urban migration of the rural populace slackening even before the pandemic, manufacturing profit margins are under pressure with factories having to pay higher wages to fill positions.    8 Reasons You Should Never Order the (Farmed) Salmon In Chile, where the majority of our farmed salmon is raised, baby salmon (called smolt) are raised in freshwater lakes rather than in hatcheries, where native species can pass parasites to the juvenile salmon before they are taken to the ocean. Several cases of intestinal parasites in humans have been traced back to raw farmed salmon.    U.S. National Security Panel Reviewing Chinese Investors' Purchase of Pharma Firm U.S. national-security officials are reviewing the 2017 acquisition of a South Carolina pharmaceutical company by Chinese investors after learning the firm was in talks to participate in a Pentagon project to develop injection devices for a coronavirus vaccine, according to people familiar with the matter.    Our frightening reliance on China must come to an end Our frightening dependence on Chinese imports has contributed to the ongoing erosion of our domestic manufacturing capacity and greatly compromised our nation's security and stability.    Tina's Take: FTC takes crucial step forward in holding deceptive made in USA marketers accountable The FTC has proposed a made in the USA labeling rule that would allow the agency to seek civil penalties (up to $43,280 per violation) against first-time offenders making deceptive made in the USA claims who, under the current regulatory regime, are typically given a free pass regardless of the degree to which they misled consumers.    BAMW: Davids is tops in toothpaste for your teeth I proudly use Davids natural toothpaste and have for about five years now, which is made in the USA and uses 98 percent U.S. ingredients (two percent come from Japan since they are not available in the United States). Zero elements come from China, so we are dealing only with first world countries and primarily the United States, of course.    COVID-19 Pandemic Reveals USDA Is Not Buying RFID Cattle Eartags from American Manufacturers R-CALF USA has learned that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted foreign shipments of millions of radio frequency identification (RFID) cattle eartags the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had purchased from foreign manufacturers. The USDA had planned to distribute the millions of foreign-made RFID eartags free-of-charge to American cattlemen to entice them to begin using the foreign-made RFID eartags on American cattle.    Terrapin Care Station moves to all American-made packaging Terrapin Care Station announced this week it is working with its suppliers to ensure all packaging is sourced entirely from the United States. “During what is a difficult time for the manufacturing sector due to COVID-19, Terrapin wanted to focus on localized sourcing,” according to a company news release.    15 Perfect American-Made Products to Remind You That Good Things Still Happen Here Let’s not forget the homegrown businesses that continue to embody so many of the ideals of what we once knew as the American Dream: that with hard work and dedication to a craft, one could provide for his or her own family while in turn also doing good for other Americans through local and regional job creation.     Residents, business owners want American made Jesse Fagen, the owner of Southern Iowa Heating and Cooling, said he’s having trouble ordering supplies as well. His business handles heating and cooling systems as the name implies, but recently opened a plumbing division, as well. Fagen tries to work primarily with U.S.-manufactured items, but says as much as 40 percent of his products come from Mexico or China.    From 'Made in China' to 'Owned by China': 20 deals show how China is gobbling up U.S. assets Between 2002 and 2016, Chinese state-owned or state-linked companies acquired more than $120 billion worth of assets in 40 states across the U.S. Just 15 Chinese entities (sovereign wealth funds, state-owned corporations, or state-linked private sector firms) accounted for 60% of this activity. In 2016 alone, more than 50 of these Chinese acquisitions exceeded $50 million. Several Chinese takeover deals exceeded $1 billion.    One Click Smile Touts Importance of "Made in USA" for Teeth Whitening Products One Click Smile is urging people to support teeth whitening kits made in the United States — and not just because they benefit the economy. “Many of our competitors’ kits are made in China or other countries where health and quality standards are not as stringent,” said Tanaz. “These products could result in teeth whitening solutions that are created with low quality ingredients or that contain impurities.”    Why 'Made in USA' Could Really Become More of a Reality Nearly 72 percent of consumers say it’s important to them to support local businesses during this time, according to the Cotton Incorporated 2020 Coronavirus Consumer Response Survey (Wave II). And more than 6 in 10 consumers (61 percent) say they want to spend money in order to help reboot the economy.    American-Made Boots and Shoes That Are Built to Last Only 1% of the shoes that are bought in the United States are made here, according to industry representatives, complicating shopping for customers who prefer to buy American. But whether you want cute sandals, rugged boots, or something in between, here are many of the companies still creating some or all of their shoes in the United States.    Their Imported U.S. Flags Didn't Last, So They Started Making Them Here There are dozens of U.S. companies making American flags. But there aren’t that many that are 100% American-made, which became a focus for Allegiance.    Diehard Made in USA Designer Ryan Martin Plots the Return of Domestic Manufacturing The denim guru behind W.H. Ranch Dungarees and KC Jacks, Martin has one (cowboy boot-clad) foot in the bespoke U.S.-made jeans business and another in the U.S.-made workwear sector. With both brands, Martin is set on upholding the rugged, durable and traditional qualities that Made in USA denim has become known for and fetishized by denim heads around the world.    BAMW: Your American-made answer for housewares and kitchenware Jacob Bromwell has been making kitchenware and housewares products in American since 1819, making in the oldest known manufacturer of tin and stainless steel products in the United States.    Ford Ranger, Teslas Top The List Of 'Most American' Cars For 2020 American brand automakers took eight of the top 12 spots. The Ford Ranger was number one. The Toyota Camry was number 41.    Ford's F-Series Cash Haul Ranks Near iPhone Among U.S. Products The F-Series line of trucks supports roughly half a million jobs and contributes $49 billion annually to U.S. gross domestic product, the study found. BCG computed the truck’s economic impact by looking at how much employment and revenue is tied directly to Ford and indirectly to its suppliers, dealers and employees’ tertiary spending.    Over 1,300 Chinese Medical Suppliers to U.S.--Including Mask Providers--Use Bogus Registration Data At least 1,300 registered Chinese companies have listed CCTC Service Inc. as their U.S. agent. No company by that name exists in the U.S., according to databases of corporate records.    Daybreak: An upgrade to Buy California Senate Bill 730 in 2017 required the Education Department to support schools in complying with the federal Buy American provision. In 2019, however, growers in the heart of California peach country were still finding imported peaches in school lunches.    China has already lost the American consumer Two-thirds of Americans now say they have an unfavorable view of China, according to a national poll by the Pew Research Center. Interest in “Made in America” as a search term skyrocketed off the chart for a few weeks to a 16-year high, according to Google Trends.    The 'Made-in-USA' label boosts prices, but just a little After three of four brands were made to drop the 'Made in USA' label, weekly sales fell for three of the four brands.    Roger Simmermaker on the Made in America Show on WECK Radio Buffalo, NY this weekend Listen in Saturday, June 13 at 9:30 am EST (repeat broadcast Sunday, June 14 at 7:30 am) to hear Roger Simmermaker discuss the Buy American movement with Mark Andol, founder of the Made in America Store which now has four locations throughout NY state.    BAMW: Time to rid ourselves of over-dependence on foreign nations 40% of Americans said they wouldn't buy products from China, and 86% of respondents say the U.S. relies too heavily on foreign supply chains.    BAMW: U.S. consumers need awareness and flexibility with their purchases The outbreak of the coronavirus in the U.S. puts Americans at obvious risk for their health. Beyond that, the fallout may be felt by American consumers when the products they want and need become unavailable due to our dependency (over-dependency) upon Chinese imports.    Collaboration, "Buy American" efforts emerging from COVID-19 crisis A Nielsen Company study found, "shoppers are exhibiting signs that they may steer away from products that traveled long distances with multiple human touchpoints." Also, "consumers have generally displayed strong preferences for local dairy and fresh produce brands and products versus those coming from further afield." The U.S. has some of the healthiest and most sustainable seafood in the world. By seeking out domestically caught fish, Americans can support fishermen and the ocean during this difficult time.    U.S. Chamber of Commerce wants to keep America dependent on China The Chamber of Commerce and the other trade groups associated with it gussied up their plea to stop the "Buy America" mandates as being in the American interest. It's all for the American good, they argued. But the fact is that the Chamber of Commerce does not represent America. It's the front group for the big international corporations and Wall Street. While the middle class stagnated, these interests grew rich in deliberately de-industrializing the U.S. Now they want to protect their investments in China. It's really as simple as that.    Toys, tech and cars: Supplies are running low for firms that depend on China imports Basic Fun, a toy company based in Boca Raton, Florida, has sought suppliers in Vietnam and India with no luck yet. The stakes are high. Basic Fun gets about 90% of its toys from China.    BAMW: Prominent American Products Any pro-Buy American person should love my new book due out in January, titled UNCONSTITUTIONAL: Our Founding Fathers Rejected FREE TRADE And So Should We. Why should pro-Buy American people be advocates of U.S. import tariffs? Because anything that makes U.S. products more competitive and attractive to the U.S. consumer is a good thing! Buy foreign, pay the tariff. Buy American, avoid the tariff.    BAMW: Reserve Roger Simmermaker's new book - get two FREE books! UNCONSTITUTIONAL shines new light on the trade issue and reveal perspectives being entirely missed by the media. With your advance order, you'll get a FREE copy of the third edition of How Americans Can Buy American: The Power of Consumer Patriotism and My Company 'Tis of Thee: 50 Patriotic American Companies American Consumers Should Know About. Simply reserve your order between now and December 31. Send no money now. You will be notified in January 2020 when the book is available.    BAMW: Sign the petition to strengthen the Made in USA standard! It's time to strengthen enforcement of the "Made in USA" standard. Tell the FTC to stand up for American manufacturers, workers, and consumers and penalize companies that cheat the system! That's the only way these cheaters that have no loyalty to the United States of America will stop.    BAMW: Rejecting the religion that is free trade It is no secret that free traders worship free trade as a religion. Syndicated columnist and former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan once said free traders worshiped at the "altar of efficiency" since they advocate lower prices as an end game and ultimate goal.    BAMW: China's Economic Aggression Threatens U.S. Energy Independence China is operating out of the playbook it used for electronics, furniture, textiles, apparel, footwear, and the like, which says one must sell at prices low enough to drive out the competition. Then, after China has driven out the formidable competition, it can control the market it seeks to dominate.    BAMW: A common-sense bipartisan reform to protect and create American jobs Advocates of this domestic-driven reform maintain, and I agree, that this will level the playing field for smaller retailers, protect American jobs, and protect consumers from price spikes at the gas pump. This is the kind of reform that we need, and that we should all be supporting.    BAMW: What those who oppose steel and aluminum tariffs really oppose So, free traders who are against steel and aluminum tariffs because they think consumers will end up paying higher prices must also be advocates for a higher unemployment rate.    BAMW: Why U.S. steel and aluminum import tariffs make sense The United States is not starting a trade war. We are responding to a trade war previously initiated by several foreign countries, many of which have discriminated against U.S. exports for decades.    BAMW: How to eliminate imported food completely from your diet The prices are reasonable, the food is great, and all food and ingredients are sourced from the USA. That's especially important to me to know that I'm supporting local farmers, food growers, and producers right here in America. Absolutely nothing is imported with the Fresh Meal Plan.    BAMW: Reforming the tax code - American style Two-thirds of Americans say they are "very frustrated" with tax loopholes used by corporations to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. It's time to listen to the American people when they speak so overwhelmingly with one voice.    BAMW: The unassuming washing machine has free trade on spin cycle Our government works to protect and defend American companies like Whirlpool and the employment of many thousands of its U.S. workers as they should. And we as consumers can do our part, too. Every time we need to buy a new appliance, we can put Whirlpool at the top of our list. And each time we do it, we'll be feeling the power our wallets have in supporting other Americans.    BAMW: What if Things Were Made in America Again? In his book, Mr. Stuber is quick to point out that American politics doesn't always work in the best interest of America. Far from it. If you're a critic of free trade like I am, you know this to be true.    BAMW: Free Trade: A Defeatist Mindset In the minds of free traders, America simply cannot win on trade. Free and open trade undoubtedly causes injury to American workers and industries, since we give foreign producers lower-cost access to American consumers.    BAMW: Why Doesn't Chick-fil-A support 'Made in USA'? So imagine my disbelief when I discovered that the new, promotional Chick-fil-A t-shirts offered at the restaurant in my area are made in Nicaragua. How does that support my local community or other communities where Chick-fil-A operates?    BAMW: The original and the best - Jacob Bromwell Sometimes the original and the oldest in any industry represents the best that industry has to offer. And that is certainly true when you consider Jacob Bromwell, which is the oldest kitchenware and housewares manufacturer in America. They also happen to be America's oldest manufacturer of tin and stainless steel.    BAMW: Order a quality knife, get a FREE flashlight This is your quality, all-purpose and car emergency tool set that you'll want to keep with you wherever you go and whenever it is practical or necessary for your safety and peace of mind.    BAMW: The myth of 'Made in USA doesn't matter' The only way we can sustain ourselves and the independence of our nation is to buy American-made products from American-owned companies, thereby keeping jobs, profits, and tax revenue within our national borders.    BAMW: Free Trade is Unconstitutional Our current twin deficits (budget and trade) along with our bourgeoning national debt under free trade compared to our trade surpluses and lack of a national debt under mostly protectionist policies up until the mid-1970s should leave no doubt of the following: For the United States, free trade equals failure and protectionism equals prosperity.    BAMW: Lighting the way with American-made So if you're in the market for a professional quality LED flashlight, I would encourage you to check out the American-made Nighthawk 2D LED flashlight which you can get for a price that would normally get you much less than professional, American-made quality.    BAMW: The main cause of our national debt: Free trade Want to get rid of our burgeoning national debt? Then get rid of free trade and the resulting trade deficits that created it.    BAMW: It's very easy to defend protectionism Free trade is based on consumption. Protectionism is based on production. We cannot consume our way to national prosperity. To prosper, we must produce and protect those American workers who do from predatory foreign competition, of which there is never a shortage.    BAMW: The U.S. can easily win any trade war America doesn't need a defeatist mentality playing endless, losing games of "Do you like us yet?" with other countries. America can do whatever it wants with the huge, lucrative market that is the envy of every foreign country and producer. We hold the cards. We have the leverage. For once, let's use it.    BAMW: Memo to America: Tariffs on Mexico won't raise consumer prices Americans are finally learning the free trade doesn't work, and it is nothing more than a horrible, failed attempt to create national prosperity on the cheap.    BAMW: The World Will Never Be Flat As President William McKinley once said, "I do not prize the word cheap. It is not a badge of honor. It is a symbol of despair. Cheap prices make for cheap goods; cheap goods make for cheap men; and cheap men make for a cheap country."    BAMW: Free trade doesn't lower prices for American consumers - here's proof! For America's economy to survive and thrive, we need a return back to the 'American System' or risk producing "want and ruin among our people" through "abandonment of the protective policy by the American government" that Abraham Lincoln warned us about.    BAMW: Bringing back the American-made rubber duck The rubber duck was an American invention before the entire industry moved offshore in search of cheaper labor. But Craig Wolfe's CelebriDucks became the top custom duck manufacturer in the world as well as the only one producing them in the USA - even exporting them to China!    BAMW: American sunglasses for American consumers If you are looking for a unique brand of sunglasses that differentiates itself from the competition by focusing on frame construction with aircraft-grade aluminum and American-made quality, then look no further than GATORZ sunglasses.    BAMW: Is your toothpaste actually made in the USA? Davids Natural Toothpaste is offering the 'How Americans Can Buy American' audience a great opportunity to try and buy Davids toothpaste at 20 percent off between now and midnight September 4th.    BAMW: How free trade is ruining America - Part II If you're a republican (and even if you're not), tell your representatives that the father of the Republican Party, Abraham Lincoln, was a protectionist who advocated high tariffs.    BAMW: How free trade is ruining America Free trade is contrary to what our Founding Fathers had in mind. No founding national document - be it the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, or the Federalist Papers - mentions free trade or free markets in any sense of the terms.    BAMW: China is buying the U.S. one American company at a time What's the best way for a country like China to exert its influence over the U.S. economy? Acquire American-owned companies like Chinese-owned Haier just did when they purchased General Electric's (GE) appliance business for $5.4 billion. So much for American independence and authentic Independence Day celebrations on July 4th.    BAMW: The only way to save America is to Buy American The answer to America's economic problems is right under our nose - right in our own back yards. The answer is to Buy American and end the elusive and financially devastating attractiveness of supposedly cheaper imports. We must Buy American while there is still American left to buy.    BAMW: Make it an American-made Christmas When we buy American-made Christmas gifts, we aren't just giving a gift to that special someone on our Christmas list. We are also giving an American worker the gift of continued employment so they can enjoy Christmas too and have money to spend on presents for their loved ones.    BAMW: Travel tough with American-made Tough Traveler gear It doesn't matter if you're traveling for business or for pleasure, or for a long trip or an overnight stay. Or maybe you're just looking for a nice and unique Christmas gift for that special someone. Tough Traveler has you and your precious belongings covered.    BAMW: American-made should light the way We should do what we can to keep American producers and suppliers providing for our police, military personnel, and firefighters from American shores - not foreign shores. If we patronize the products of American producers regardless of what they produce, we keep them profitable and make it more likely they can keep producing their goods in America.    BAMW: Authentically American quality kitchenware Jacob Bromwell is one of the few patriotic companies you will find that has never outsourced production to low-wage labor countries to reduce costs because they have faith in the creativity and productivity of American workers.    BAMW: How big does Anheuser-Busch InBev need to get? The best way to bolster the American economy is to support American-owned and American-made products, which keep jobs, profits and tax revenue circulating within our national borders.    BAMW: Don't tread on Chinese-made Dr. Scholl's Don't tread on me. That should be how you look at Chinese-made Dr. Scholl's insoles, which are carried in your local Wal-Mart store despite their fairly recent and historic 'Buy American' pledge. The American alternative? Family-owned, American-owned (and American-made) ENER-GEL, whose insoles can be purchased here by going to my USA Shop.    BAMW: Get Schick and flick your BIC (into the trash) When it comes to disposable razors, if you want to Buy American, Schick is the brand to buy. Schick is an American-owned company and most of their razors are made in America, too.    BAMW: Is your tea from the land of the free? AriZona tea is not from AriZona, ironically. But it is from New York, making it American through and through.    BAMW: Truly American toothpaste With Davids, it all comes down to the sustainability of American labor, American profits, American ingredients, American packaging, and American jobs.    BAMW: Free traders: Capitalist champions of unfair competition Do you like and/or approve of unfair competition? If you're an advocate for free trade you do, whether you realize it or not. You may call yourself a capitalist, but if you approve of free trade, you approve of unfair competition within the capitalist system you propose to support.    BAMW: Buying foreign-owned products and services saps Uncle Sam How can patriotic consumers that don't want to see Uncle Sam turned into Uncle Sucker fight back and reduce the draining of American tax coffers? By supporting American-owned companies that make things in the United States.    BAMW: Wear American-made shades this summer Summer is almost officially here, and when you're out and about in the heat of the sun, you'll want to protect your eyes with a quality pair of sunglasses.    BAMW: Buy American and Free Trade: A Love/Hate Relationship If you love Buying American, you should hate free trade. Literally. Why? Because you cannot claim to support making it easier for Americans to Buy American and favor free trade at the same time. That is if your goal is a stronger U.S. economy, more jobs here at home, and more prosperous America, at least.    BAMW: Ford and GM trade places for number one in U.S. auto production Ford and GM, the only two American-owned auto companies left in the U.S. (I refer to them as the "Big Two"), have both expanded American jobs and American investment in America since the dark days of government loans and bailouts.    BAMW: Fifteen sure-fire ways to Buy American in 2015 Here are fifteen sure-fire ways to buy American in 2015 using the money we're already going to spend anyway.    BAMW: True American authenticity in manufacturing from Jacob Bromwell Using the same authentic materials since 1819, Jacob Bromwell products are made with All-American materials such as tin, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper, with the help of elbow grease and some pretty darned old machinery (which works just as well as the day it was built)! By using these materials, Jacob Bromwell products remain 100% authentic from the day they were created.    BAMW: Pentagon funnels billions to foreign factories ignoring Buy American laws Senator Murphy says that the Pentagon is funding foreign factories to the tune of $160 billion dollars over the last seven years, costing an untold number of American jobs.    BAMW: States skirt past federal Buy American bans Enactment of more Buy American laws would clearly mean more American jobs, profits, and tax revenue within the borders of the United States. And if you're interested in the furthering the growth of the American economy, that's a good thing.    BAMW: Walgreens avoided the politically-forbidden fruit. Will others? Corporate tax inversions are the talk of the town these days. When I sat down to write this article, I had planned on slamming Walgreens and Burger King for their corporate inversion, tax-treason trickery plan to abandon America, transfer technical ownership to a foreign country, and leave their domestic corporate competitors (those who have not decided to renounce their U.S. citizenship) holding the tax-bill bag.    Made In USA In High Demand This is why organizations like the Made in the USA Foundation and activists like Roger Simmermaker, author of How Americans Can Buy American and owner of howtobuyamerican.com, became active in identifying American-made products. "When it comes to buying American, I tell people to start with the smaller items," advises Simmermaker. "I also advocate buying American-made products from American companies, which can be harder than you think. Swiss Miss is American, and Carnation is owned by the Swiss."    Who, What, Where, & Why to Buying American Products from US Companies In celebration of the 4th of July holiday, Women's Voices Magazine asked Jim Palmer and Roger Simmermaker to share their thoughts, research, and experiences with us. As you will see, buying 'Made in America' is one way to truly support economic independence and national security of the USA in today's world.    BAMW: Buy American bills fail to invite retaliation from key trading partner The latest ironclad evidence that Buy American laws do not automatically attract similar buy-domestic laws in other countries can be found within the borders of our immediate neighbors to the North - Canada.    'Made in America' not easy for retailers to deliver on Wherever you stand on the issue of prices versus patriotism, Florida 'Buy American' advocate Roger Simmermaker said July Fourth is a good time for citizens to take stock about how they are spending their money whether they're going to support jobs in the United States or outside the country. 'We have a Declaration of Independence, not a declaration of interdependence,' said Simmermaker, an author of two books on buying U.S. made products. 'Buying American is about more than just American-made products and U.S. jobs,' he said. 'We're less of an independent country to the extent that we rely on other nations to supply our wants and needs.'    BAMW: I propose a toast to truly American beer According to the Brewers Association, there are over 2,700 craft breweries in the U.S., many of which serve authentic American-brewed, American-owned beer.    BAMW: All American Coupon Book saves you money on American products I was delighted to find out that there is a new all-American coupon book that focuses on helping consumer patriots save money on American-made goods while we fulfill the obligation that many of us feel in supporting American jobs and the American economy with our purchases.    BAMW: Coming soon: The first-ever 'Buy American' shopping show! The fine folks at BuyDirectUSA.com are on a mission to give patriotic-minded people like you and me a QVC-style program we can watch that features only American-made goods made by only American-owned companies! It's called the Buy American Shopping Show and it's coming soon!    BAMW: Stop the free trade madness and protect Buy American provisions Right off the bat, it's important to know that the TPP would make any "Buy American" or "Buy Local" laws or preferences illegal. The benefit, we are told, in waiving Buy American procurement policies is that we would avoid potential "Buy Malaysia" laws from Malaysia, "Buy Singapore" laws from Singapore, etc.    BAMW: Stay active and motivated with sport & fitness accessories If you're the type of person that has a passion for fitness or sports - or if you simply like to stay active - and you like to listen to music on your mp3 or smartphone while doing it, you'll want to take a look at four new American-made products in the USA Shop by American-owned Topcor that are sure to help keep you motivated.    Cars made here, but with a lot of foreign parts Domestic automakers tend to pay more in taxes, because they have been around for a century and typically do not get the huge tax breaks foreign automakers do when they open new plants in the United States, said Simmermaker. Foreign car companies have built U.S. plants with imported steel, gotten financing from banks in their home countries and avoided paying duties on imported parts.    U.S. Flouts Its Own Advice in Procuring Overseas Clothing One of the world's biggest clothing buyers, the United States government spends more than $1.5 billion a year at factories overseas, acquiring everything from the royal blue shirts worn by airport security workers to the olive button-downs required for forest rangers and the camouflage pants sold to troops on military bases.    BAMW: 2014 New Year's Resolution for Congress: Stop Funding Foreign Factories! The Buy American Project is a new non-profit organization -- founded by the author of this article - that focuses on emphasizing to our legislators the advantages of Buying American to our nation. The issues raised in this article represent examples of what we talk about to both Republicans and Democrats in Washington when we advocate and discuss pro-Buy American legislation with members of Congress.    BAMW: Order a "Buy American!" shirt, and get unlimited books for just 5 bucks each! Just pick the shirt color and size that you like, and then add any number of Roger Simmermaker's two books to your order for just $5.00 - postage paid!    BAMW: When 'Made in America' doesn't mean American made Our federal government has failed to establish reasonable labeling standards to properly educate American consumers so they can make buying decisions based on their own personal values. There are numerous loopholes in the current Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) guidelines according to the research of Michele Nash-Hoff, author of Can American Manufacturing be Saved?    BAMW: Show your support for John Ratzenberger's new American Made TV Series! John Ratzenberger is back and he's starting a new TV series called John Ratzenberger's American Made. You may also remember John Ratzenberger as Cliff Clavin the mailman on Cheers or his many voice parts in Pixar's feature films like Toy Story and the Cars series.    BAMW: Uniquely American Christmas ideas from the USA Shop! If you haven't visited the USA Shop link on the 'How Americans Can Buy American' website lately, you might be in for a pleasant surprise if you're looking for exclusive American-made goods that are often found nowhere else.    Goodwill project is built almost entirely of domestic materials Roger Simmermaker, the Central Florida author of "How Americans Can Buy American," said what Walmart is doing, as well as the Williams Company in West Melbourne, show the issue still resonates strongly with Americans. "Typically, when you ask people, do they prefer American goods when price and quality are the same, they'll say 'yes,'" said Simmermaker. "Businesses see those polls," Simmermaker said, "and they're more in tune to play the 'Made in the USA' card if you will."    BAMW: Despite patriotic pledge, Walmart threatens to destroy another American-made company The folks at ENER-GEL know that small manufacturing companies are vital to the growth and prosperity of America. Over the past 20 years, they've created American jobs and purchased raw materials, packaging, and equipment from other American companies. Walmart's dismissal of this family-owned American company will unfortunately have job-loss ripple effects on these other domestic producers beyond ENER-GEL unless patriotic-minded Americans move to support them when possible.    BAMW: How to bolster pro-Buy American legislation To help make sure Washington gets the message about the powerful and positive impact that Buying American has on our economy, a non-profit, appropriately named the Buy American Project, has been founded to encourage our legislators to support common-sense, pro-Buy American legislation.    BAMW: Top quality cooking for around your kitchen or your campfire More and more Americans today deplore the practice of outsourcing solely to take advantage of selling to the American market while undercutting American producers who proudly employ American workers. Few American companies have exclusively employed only Americans for longer than Jacob Bromwell has.    BAMW: The future of foot care - made in America! When I used the Footmate System for the first time, I felt a tingling sensation and the feeling of greater blood circulation in my legs.    Spending Smart: Finding value in 'Made in the USA' FOLLOW THE PROFITS: Roger Simmermaker, author of the book "How Americans Can Buy American," suggests starting more simply than with vehicles and appliances. Start in the supermarket "where, ultimately, you spend more of your time and more of your money." His idea is not to just buy American-made products but products from American companies, which pay more taxes than foreign firms. For example, even though both are American-made and known to be quality brands, Clorox is owned by an American company and Lysol is owned by a British company. Prego is American-owned; Ragu is owned by Unilever, which traces ownership to England and the Netherlands.    BAMW: Sign the petition to ban Chinese-processed chicken! Let's put a stop to this blatantly unsafe and unnecessary concession and let it be known that we don't want any chicken from China coming to America! Sign the White House petition on the WhiteHouse.gov website, and alert every like-minded concerned citizen that you know, encouraging them to do the same.    BAMW: Friends don't let friends wear foreign sunglasses So here's your chance to make sure you're sporting American-made sunglasses for the rest of the sun-filled days this year and beyond, and let everyone know you support the 'Buy American' cause at the same time.    BAMW: Not licking your chops for Chinese Chicken? Then sign this White House petition! Chinese-processed chicken will soon become a reality in America, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), unless the American people are willing to make a move right now to stop it!    BAMW: Buying American in Simple American Style Where can you browse American, buy American, and enter for a chance to win a $25.00 gift certificate on an exclusive made-in-USA-only website at the same time? At the new all-American e-commerce site www.simpleamericanstyle.com!    BAMW: American cars should run on American tires You can't bolster American independence by fostering foreign dependency. But that's exactly what you would be doing if you were to buy Cooper brand tires next time the tread runs thin on the ones that are on your car now.    BAMW: Finally, a more-accurate American-ness auto index Everyone has a different definition of what makes a car or truck truly American, and there is plenty of data to either create or support your own criteria for what is American and what isn't. In my opinion, however, the Kogod Made in America Auto Index is the best because it is the most accurate and most inclusive.    BAMW: Connecting patriotic businesses and consumers Ameriloop was founded two years ago as a social insourcing community to connect American businesses, farmers, manufacturers, supplies, and retailers with American customers and consumers.    BAMW: Here's the skinny on American-made sunglasses These OSHA approved American-made sunglasses have UV 400 rated shatterproof poly-carbonate lenses and comfort grip adjustable arms, and come with a micro-fiber carrying case. They are also engraved with the words 'Buy American' on the front so that everyone will know how important it is to you that you purchase American products whenever possible by wearing American-made sunglasses.    US House passes Michaud's requirement for 100% made in the USA military uniforms On June 13th, the House of Representatives passed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Michaud that would require any footwear provided to members of the Armed Forces upon initial entry be made in America. New Balance, which can make footwear to comply with federal procurement rules, employs hundreds of Mainers in Norway, Norridgewock and Skowhegan.    The Problem With 'Buy American' Let's make a deal. Government will agree to protect only those American workers and small-business owners who in return agree to stop buying foreign-made products. For example, American steel workers will get protection from steel imports only if they, in exchange, agree to stop buying the likes of Toyota cars, Samsung televisions, etc.    BAMW: Are you prepared for Chinese pork on your plate? We can't always stop foreign-owned companies from buying our American-owned companies, land, and factories, but we can stop giving them the money with which to do it.    Rick Perry Vetoes "Buy American" Bill Approved 145-0 By Texas House Rick Perry vetoed the "Buy American" bill on Saturday, despite a unanimous bipartisan vote in the Texas House. The bill, which would have given preference to American-made goods, also passed in the Senate with 23-7 vote and was sponsored by Republicans.    BAMW: An Old Country Store with old-fashioned values In many ways, Cracker Barrel's business really is synonymous with tried-and-true American values. Whether it's treating people fairly, with dignity and mutual respect, encouraging those with the drive and talent to succeed, or giving people a fair deal at a fair price, sticking to values like these has rewarded the company with the praise and loyalty of guests.    BAMW: Buying American-made or Buying American? ... it's easier to 'Buy American' instead of just buying 'American made' than most people might think, and unless we have some type of strong brand loyalty in a particular area, any brand will do at about the same price. So let's vote with our dollars and 'Buy American' where we can and when we can, so we can keep jobs, profits, and tax revenue within our national borders where they should be.    Made in America label stages comeback at US stores When Roger Simmermaker went shopping for clothes at a Florida mall in the mid-1990s, he wanted to buy American, but to his frustration, he couldn't find anything made in the USA. The experience motivated Simmermaker, an electronics technician by trade, to write "How Americans Can Buy American" - a guide to finding products manufactured in the United States, which were a scarce commodity at the time.    Apparel advocate: Bring clothing manufacturing back to U.S. Manufacture New York expects to open its doors on a 20,000-square foot manufacturing and design facility in Brooklyn, New York, in July. Over 100 designers have participated so far. And what we plan to do is mentor, train and provide production resources for this generation of designers and for major labels who want to bring their productions back to the U.S.    BAMW: Re-thinking re-shoring Everyone has heard of outsourcing and offshoring, but not everyone realizes the negative economic consequences to the nation that results from the closing of domestic manufacturing plants and the shipping of those jobs overseas.    BAMW: All-American food and beverage With great American companies like these, enjoying American food and drink for yourself and all the loved ones in your life (including pets) is better for your health and for the American economy all at the same time!    Toyota, Honda, Nissan announce recall of more than 2 million vehicles over air bag issue Toyota, Honda and Nissan are recalling more than 2 million vehicles globally for an identical problem with air bags on the passenger side whose inflator may burst, sending plastic pieces flying. The recall for air bags made by Japan's Takata Corp. affects other automakers including non-Japanese manufacturers, and may be as many as 3 million vehicles, Takata spokeswoman Akiko Watanabe said Thursday. She declined to give details.    Buford-Based Okabashi Featured in 'Buy American' Article Interested in buying American made apparel? In a recent WND article, author Roger Simmermaker lists five companies, including one in Buford, Ga., that produce American apparel and accessories.    New Auto Index Redefines "American Made" Cars The Kogod Made in America Auto Index was assembled by Associate Professor Frank DuBois, an expert in global supply chain management, at American University's Kogod School of Business. Among other sources, the data was compiled from publicly-disclosed American Automobile Labeling Act (AALA) reports as of February 2013.    Made-in-USA label pays off for investors The benefits of the Made-in-the-USA marketing tag now apply to stocks as well as shoes, SUVs and software. How so? With Europe hobbled by debt, white-hot China cooling and emerging markets slowing, stocks of U.S. companies that get most of their revenue from U.S.-based sales are performing better than companies that do 50% or more of their sales abroad, where things aren't going as well.    GM to invest $332 million in plant upgrades, including 2 in Michigan General Motors plans to invest $332 million to upgrade four manufacturing operations, including two in Michigan and one in Toledo, to expand powertrain parts production. The automaker also will increase its spending on two previously announced expansions in Saginaw and Romulus by $46 million to meet demand for a new 6-cylinder engine. The company's fresh investments are part of its plan announced in January to pump $1.5 billion into its North American operations in 2013.    BAMW: American apparel and accessories for all ages So there you have it! Five great ways to keep yourself covered from head to toe with American-made apparel and accessories, courtesy of American workers that help keep our economy strong!    Japanese Advantage Set to Derail Ford Motor Company (F) and General Motors Company (GM)? Since Oct. 1, 2012, the yen has fallen 23% against the U.S. dollar. What that really means is that the devalued yen will give Toyota and Honda a significant financial advantage on every single vehicle sold. Toyota exports over 2 million vehicles annually, and when those vehicles enter the U.S. or European market, they become more profitable for the company.    These 15 Companies Are Leading The American Manufacturing Renaissance ISI has issued a comprehensive report called Investing in the U.S. Manufacturing Renaissance. Among other things, it cites 48 instances of U.S. companies or industries expanding or bringing back production capacity in the states. We've boiled down the more significant ones.    Go beyond your bland domestic beer and sip a brew with unique flavor and distinctive taste! Our mission is to support the outstanding craft beer made in American-owned breweries. Many of the best-known domestic beers with iconic American symbols are not owned by Americans. These brands dominate the advertising and distribution channels, but their profits leave our country.    BAMW: Advocating all-American e-commerce Hopefully the number of ecommerce sites that sell only American-made goods will grow along with more significant sales so that the U.S. Department of Commerce will have good reason to track those sales.    Made in the USA: More Consumers Buying American A curious thing is happening among American shoppers. More people are taking a moment to flip over an item or fish for a label and ask, is it "Made in the USA?" The recession, and still flat recovery for many Americans, have created a painful realization. All those cheap goods made in China and elsewhere come at a price - lost U.S. manufacturing jobs. A growing pocket of consumers, in fact, are connecting the economic dots between their shopping carts - brimming with foreign-made stuff - and America's future.    BAMW: Kicking Heinz Ketchup to the curb Friday, February 15th was a sad day for a ketchup-lover like me after hearing the report that American-owned Heinz was going to be jointly bought out by Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway and Brazilian-backed private-equity firm 3G Capital.    BAMW: Pondering Walmart's patriotic pledge It's no secret that if you have a product that could be carried by Walmart, you want Walmart to carry it. But if your good is domestically produced, Walmart has a history of pressuring you to cut your costs to a point that many companies have had to lay off workers, or shutter their American factories altogether and move overseas in order to meet Walmart's price demands.    Senator wants American products for public buildings "It's a simple concept and that is to buy American. And I think the reasoning behind that is we ought to support those American industries that continue to do manufacturing in the states," explained Sen. Teague, D-Nashville.    Toyota recalling 1.3 million cars for airbag problems In the U.S., 752,000 Corolla and Corolla Matrix models were being recalled because of a defect that causes airbags to deploy inadvertently. It is the third Toyota recall since October to involve more than a million cars.    My new book My Company 'Tis of Thee: 50 Patriotic American Companies American Consumers Should Know About is reviewed in the February 2013 edition of Bookviews (by Alan Caruba). Bookviews is a monthly report on the best in new fiction and non-fiction books. Alan Caruba is a charter member of the National Book Critics Circle and has been reviewing for more than five decades.    GM to invest $600 million in Kansas City car plant The investment is part of the U.S. automaker's previously announced plan to spend $1.5 billion on its North American plants this year, up from the $436 million last year. GM invests $8 billion annually on its operations globally.    BAMW: Charlie Wilson was right Americans have many, many reasons to support a home-team company like GM. When they do, they're contributing more to their country's prosperity than if they bought an automobile from a foreign automaker, regardless of where it was built.    Made in USA makes comeback as a marketing tool Small manufacturers, craftsmen and retailers are marketing the Made-in-USA tag to score do-gooder points with consumers for employing stateside, says Margarita Mendoza, founder of the Made in America Movement, a lobbying organization for small manufacturers.    BAMW: Ford's bold moves are paying off Few companies in any industry have taken such bold moves as Ford. And fortunately, for this American company and the American people as well, their persistence in swimming upstream has resulted in well-deserved success.    Wal-Mart to Hire Vets, Buy American The plan includes hiring more than 100,000 veterans in the next five years, spending $50 billion to buy more American-made merchandise in the next 10 years and helping its part-time workers move into full-time positions.    Central Florida author pens second book on US buys When you're a leading advocate for buying American-made products such as Roger Simmermaker, what you wear and what you drive tends to be important. Shoes from SAS (San Antonio Shoes), and pants and belt ordered through the All American Clothing Co., an online retailer that sells only products made in the United States. How about his car? A 1995 Lincoln Town Car, not to mention he still owns and sometimes drives the 1972 Buick LeSabre he drove as teenager. Both vehicles were made in America.    U.S. Clears DNA Firm's Acquisition by Chinese Some scientists, politicians and industry executives had said the takeover represented a threat to American competitiveness in DNA sequencing, a technology that is becoming crucial for the development of drugs, diagnostics and improved crops.    Made in America? Given a choice between a product made in the U.S. and an identical one made abroad, 78 percent of Americans would rather buy the American product, according to a new nationally representative survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.    BAMW: Keeping American factories kicking with American boots The Weinbrenner Shoe Company (WSC) of Wisconsin is one of a few remaining American footwear companies still making work boots in the USA....    New Balance 996 "Grey/Navy" Made in USA | Holiday 2012 Finishing off another remarkable calendar year, New Balance continues to impress with footwear from their Made in USA line. One of their most celebrated silhouettes, and a personal favorite of ours, the M996 runner gets dressed in soft patriotic tones to ring in the new year.    Apple to Move Mac Mini Production to America: Report Foxconn, the Taiwanese manufacturing company that makes the iPhone handset, among other Apple components, would be responsible for handling the establishment of production, DigiTimes reported.    Companies Promote 'Made In USA' Slogan Carefully The Whirlpool Corp., for example, specified in full-page print advertisements this year that 80 percent of its appliances "sold in the U.S. come from our U.S. factories."    Report: American-made goods a hit with holiday shoppers U.S. made goods are a bigger hit with holiday shoppers than those made in China.    BAMW: A Made in America Christmas for 2012 When Christmas comes around, we can provide a much needed boost for our economy not by spending more, but rather by using the money that we're already planning on spending anyway to buy America-made goods.    Next-Generation Chevrolet Camaro To Have Made in U.S.A. Label General Motors announced on Wednesday that production of the next-generation Chevrolet Camaro will move from Oshawa, Ontario to Lansing, Michigan.    BAMW: Putting patriotic Americans at the economy's steering wheel My Company 'Tis of Thee puts every American in the driver's seat when it comes to steering the global economy in a direction that best benefits the United States of America. Consumer can't hope to help create a strong economy by making purchases without being aware of which ones are the most beneficial to the economy they are trying to strengthen.    BAMW: Keep Small Business Saturday Going Not only do the owners of Made in USA Shop promise that any product you order from them will be made in America, but they can also assure you that they will be adding to their already impressive inventory. Fortunately, more manufacturing jobs are steadily returning to America's shores as the economy starts to recover, and the made in USA Shop stands ready to keep those jobs here by offering more and more American-made goods.    Apple's next Macs will be made in the USA "We've been working for years on doing more and more in the U.S. Next year, we're going to do one of our existing Mac lines in the United States," Apple CEO Tim Cook told NBC's Brian Williams. He cited several components of the company's products that are already manufactured in America, notably the processors and screens in the iPhones.    The Black Friday Challenge: Buy One American-Made Item In fact, 87 percent of voters support a preference for American-made products when the government is building infrastructure or buying goods and services. A strong majority of Americans believe the quality of American manufacturing is on the rise. Americans have warm feelings towards American-made products, and decidedly negative views of 'Made in China.'    New Buy American legislation may permanently shut out Canadian goods 'Protectionist measures that restrict Canadian market access to US infrastructure projects are already leading to demands for similar restrictions in Canada,' Myers told a panel of US trade experts in Washington.    Starbucks gives a huge jolt to small pottery maker with 'Indivisible' mugs Initially, Starbucks wanted 100,000 mugs, an impossible order for American Mug. McClellan didn't have the employees, time or line of credit with which to buy supplies. So Starbucks connected him with the Opportunity Finance Network, which secured funding through a small lender to provide the capital for a 20,000-piece order, the largest in American Mug's history.    Study: Consumers Prefer 'Made in USA' Quality is a key driver in this consumer preference, the study noted. 85% of consumers in the U.S. and 82% in China believe American-made products have higher quality.    BAMW: New Buy American book just in time for Christmas! If you are looking for a truly unique Christmas gift, you're an advocate of Buy American, and you want to help others buy American at the same time, then you'll want to consider pre-ordering My Company 'Tis of Thee: 50 Patriotic American Companies American Consumers Should Know About.    Toyota recalls U.S. Priuses in 2.77M global recall Toyota's own faulty specifications led to Wednesday's recall of 670,000 older Prius hybrids in the U.S. for potentially defective steering, the automaker acknowledges. And about 350,000 of those same Priuses also were recalled Wednesday for water pumps that could cause the cars to stall.    Popular wrench fights Chinese rival The tools have one significant difference, Mr. Craig noted. The Bionic Wrench is made in the United States. The Max Axess wrench is made in China. The shift at Sears from a tool invented and manufactured in the United States to a very similar one made offshore has already led to a loss of American jobs and a brewing patent battle.    Kansas Democrats propose 'Buy American' law Democrats in the Kansas Legislature proposed a "Buy American" law Thursday to require state agencies to use U.S.-manufactured goods in public works projects.    Made in America markets create communities of like-minded consumers Adachi and Kennedy were already fans of some of the brands at NorthernGRADE, a pop-up menswear market of American-made goods making its Chicago debut two years after launching in Minnesota. Meeting the crafters, designers and small-business owners behind the brands added to the appeal, they said.    BAMW: American banks should lend to American small businesses American Aisle is still looking to re-open as the brick-and-mortar store it was before. It is still hoping that someday banks will do their duty and lend like they are supposed to in order to help hard-working Americans who probably have their accounts at those same banks!    Hyundai, Kia overstated gas mileage, EPA finds Hyundai and Kia overstated the gas mileage on 900,000 vehicles in the past three years, a discovery that could result in sanctions from the U.S. government and millions of dollars in payments to car owners.    Lawmakers want explanation for China-made boots Two members of Congress plan to urge the Defense Department to ensure U.S. troops wear only American-made uniforms and gear after Air Force Times revealed this summer that an airman deployed to Afghanistan was given Chinese-made boots by his unit.    U.S. sets hefty duties on Chinese stainless steel sinks The decision is a victory for Elkay Manufacturing, a nearly century-old Illinois company that in March accused its Chinese competitors of selling the sinks in the United States at unfairly low prices.    America's Manufacturing Crisis: Finally Harvard Gets It Some of us have long argued that the United States has been committing economic suicide by letting its once-peerless manufacturing base fade away. To those who have investigated the facts, the case has, for decades, seemed unchallengeable.    A Label That Has Regained Its Luster Even as the "Made in the U.S.A." label has grown scarce, thanks to the offshore manufacturing in apparel and other industries, it has acquired cachet as a signifier of old-school craftsmanship, even luxury.    Mom and Pop store in Orange only sell American-made Everything in the store - refrigerators, washers, dryers, ranges - is made in the United States, as are its owners, Harry and Margie Stephens.    BAMW: American-made apparel for the youngest Americans I am so happy that I became aware of a company in Michigan called Laina Line over seven years ago, and I've been pointing patriotic consumers to their website ever since. In short, if you thought it was impossible to find American-made clothing for children in sizes from 6 weeks to 10 years of age, you really need to look no further than www.lainaline.com.    Hyundai recalls some Santa Fe, Sonata for air bags The Santa Fe recall involves nearly 200,000 vehicles in the 2007 to 2009 model years. Hyundai dealers will reprogram the front passenger air bag sensors so they will accurately detect when a small adult is seated.    Dumping China for American job shops U.S. small businesses that initially rushed to Chinese factories to get their products made are now dumping them for American manufacturers. Mitch Free, the founder and CEO of Atlanta-based MFG.com, said his company has seen a 15% uptick in inquiries since 2009 from U.S. firms looking for American factories to replace their Chinese suppliers.    Can the U.S. handle a manufacturing comeback? For years, U.S. manufacturers worried about business being sent overseas. Now, as signs point to a resurgence of American-made goods, a new fear is emerging: that there won't be enough skilled workers to keep up with demand.    'Made In America' Policies Hugely Popular, Survey Shows Nearly 9 out of 10 Republicans and Independents and 91 percent of Democrats said they support "Buy America" preferences, according to the survey, which was conducted by the Democratic-leaning Mellman Group.    BAMW: An American-made marketing mindset Finding American-made products at brick-and-mortar stores is becoming more common as these stores spring up across the nation. But big kudos go to Norton's USA, as they were an early pioneer in what is becoming one of today's national trends.    Ralph Lauren to make 2014 Olympic uniforms in the U.S. In response to the controversy, Ralph Lauren Corp. announced Friday that it was committed to producing Team USA uniforms for the 2014 Winter Olympics in America. "Ralph Lauren promises to lead the conversation within our industry and our government addressing the issue of increasing manufacturing in the United States," the company said.    Capitol Hill joins criticism of 'Made in China' U.S. Olympic uniforms Team USA may be comprised of America's best athletes, but their uniforms have a more foreign origin. The patriotic red, white and blue outfits designed by Ralph Lauren to be worn during the opening ceremony were made in China.    BAMW: Dotting the landscape with domestic-only stores If you've ever entertained the thought of opening your own store of American-made products, Hometown USA Stores stands ready to help you. They've developed their own system, and it's one that's a proven success. Now they're looking for patriotic-minded entrepreneurs and investors who want to partner with Hometown USA Stores to keep a dream alive; it's a dream of an American landscape dotted with stores that stock and sell only American products.    Toyota to recall Lexus SUVs; floor mats can trap gas pedal and cause acceleration Toyota's problems with runaway acceleration just won't go away. Three years after the company recalled its first cars to fix the problem, it has identified two more models at risk, the 2010 Lexus RX 350 and RX 450H SUVs.    Ford's Success Rests Upon a Strong Middle Class, Says CEO Alan Mulally The company's seven U.S. assembly plants continue to churn out gleaming new cars and trucks and the No. 2 automaker in the U.S. plans to hire an additional 12,000 U.S. workers to build its cars over the next few years.    Will 'Made in the U.S.A.' Give Google Gadget a Leg Up? Google Inc. is bucking convention. The Nexus Q, Google's first foray into designing and producing its own hardware in-house, will be manufactured in the U.S. The Nexus Q, unveiled on Wednesday, is a $300 black orb-shaped amplifier capable of wirelessly streaming music and playing video to connected devices inside a home.    8 Employers Buck Outsourcing Trend, Bring Jobs Back To America Peerless Industries Inc., a maker of mounting systems for flat-panel TVs, Peerless recently shifted all its manufacturing from China to a new facility in suburban Chicago, creating 85 U.S. jobs. The move was done in part to reduce operating expenses and regain "complete control" of production.    Woman creates store to sell US only products A local woman (Blue Ridge, GA) was laid off and her job was outsourced overseas. Instead of looking for a new job, Robyn Posey decided to create one and help others keep their jobs in the process.    BAMW: Are you ready for 'Made in the World' labels? The World Trade Organization apparently sees a problem with the widely-held American view that we are far too immersed in imports as a country these days. Yes, the WTO says there is a problem with the nationalistic view that "I must try to reduce my imports and increase my exports" even when our record trade deficits continue to impede economic growth, kill American jobs, and slow the economic recovery.    U.S. orders tariffs on Chinese solar panels The Obama administration ordered tariffs of 31% and higher on solar panels imported from China, escalating a simmering trade dispute with China over a case that has sharply divided American interests in the growing clean-energy industry. The Commerce Department announced the stiff duties Thursday after making a preliminary finding that Chinese solar panel manufacturers "dumped" their goods -- that is, sold them at below fair-market value.    BAMW: Is your computer assembled in America? If you're in the market for a desktop or laptop for any purpose (or even a server), contact Systemax. When an American customer service representative answers your call, ask how they can create an American-assembled computer, one that will fit all of your needs, whatever they may be.    U.S. Imposes Anti-Dumping Duties on Chinese Solar Imports The U.S. Commerce Department imposed tariffs of 31 percent to 250 percent on Chinese solar-product imports, siding with companies including SolarWorld in the U.S. that said the items were sold below the cost of production. The fees, announced today in an e-mailed statement, add to duties as high as 4.73 percent imposed earlier for getting unfair subsidies from China's government.    BAMW: Buy American advocacy Because of your support for the not-for-profit Buy American Project, we were able meet with Rep. Tammy Baldwin and make the case for the Buy American cause and convince her to join the Buy American Caucus.    BAMW: Made in America advocacy The Made in USA Foundation, which is dedicated to promoting American-made products, invites you to create demand through your actions, both as a consumer and as a proactive American citizen.    "Made in the USA" returns as a selling point American Express reports that three out of four higher income earners like the "Made in USA" label. Two thirds of higher income earners who were surveyed actively try to buy brands that are made at home. Moreover, when people were asked their perception of luxury goods, American luxury goods ranked the highest. That's a radical change from what we've traditionally seen where American goods haven't been considered up to snuff.    TVs assembled in America draw buyers Element Electronics has moved the assembly of its larger televisions from Asia to Canton, Mich., and they've already sold out for the year now that several chain stores have taken notice. NBC's Kevin Tibbles reports.    The Buy American Project Roger Simmermaker is one of four citizens behind the Buy American Project, a non-profit organization that educates both consumers and legislators in their belief that we can revitalize the American economy by renewing our manufacturing base and buying American made products.    Bridge Comes to San Francisco With a Made-in-China Label SHANGHAI - Talk about outsourcing! At a sprawling manufacturing complex here, hundreds of Chinese laborers are now completing work on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.    BAMW: All-American store creates American jobs Since opening day on April 3, 2010, Made in America Store owner Mark Andol has been able to boast that all of the products in his brick-and-mortar store are 100 percent made in USA.    San Francisco subway system adopts 'buy American' policy BART is the first transit agency in the nation to give preference to companies that manufacture most of their trains in the U.S., a move that makes it eligible for federal funds. At a recent press conference hailing the policy, California Congressman John Garamendi said BART's choice was simple: "It can support our foreign competitors, or help create thousands of jobs for American workers and signal to the world that American manufacturing is back in business."    Senate passes "Buy American" legislation A Democrat-backed bill dubbed the "Buy American" act passed the Senate Monday on a party-line 20-15 vote. Derided by one Republican senator as "gesture politics", Senate Bill 4 would provide an incentive to companies bidding on state contracts to purchase American-made goods.    Buford shoe maker plans expansion The company, maker of Okabashi and OKA b. label footwear, plans to start producing private label shoes. The move could mean an additional 150 jobs at its factory in Buford, the company said.    More "Made in America" Vehicles Now Headed Abroad GM is in the process of pouring $2 billion into 17 of its U.S. plants in eight states, promising to retain or create 4,200 jobs in the process. Likewise, Ford's contract with the UAW spells out much of the company's increasing investments in its U.S. plants-up to $16 billion in new products and additional plant capacity-in part to stage jobs now being imported from Europe, China, Japan and Mexico.    Suntech provides 3.4 MW of solar panels for Edwards Air Force Base The more than 12,000 solar panels provided for the project, which started generating power in February 2012, were made at Suntech's manufacturing facility in Goodyear, Arizona. Solar panels produced at Suntech's Goodyear facility are compliant for procurement in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and Buy American Act projects.    DC to buy American-made streetcars for new trolley line; previous vehicles manufactured abroad The district previously purchased three streetcars made in the Czech Republic. Mayor Vincent Gray announced Thursday that the district will buy two additional streetcars from Oregon Iron Works Inc., which is the only domestic manufacturer of such vehicles. It's based in Clackamas, OR.    Red, white and true Buying American is not only about supporting American jobs, Simmermaker said during an interview from his home state of Florida. It's about supporting American-owned companies that pay taxes to the U.S. Treasury.    BAMW: A truly all-American market If you shop at Bert's All-American Market in Littleton, Colorado, you can be absolutely sure that absolutely nothing is imported, whether it's farm fresh fruits and vegetables, salsa, sauces, seafood, eggs, bakery items, sodas, meats, bath items, household cleaners, or organic foods. Even the coffee is American.    BAMW: Traveling with American-made in mind Ever since Tough Traveler started doing business over 40 years ago, they have remained true to "Made in USA" and everything it stands for. So you can feel confident they'll be there for you to make sure you're happy with your American-made product.    Buy American: Bill inspired by ECC trustee concerns passes the Senate - Elgin Courier News Trustees' hands were tied, he was told. The Illinois Community College Purchasing Act requires colleges to take the lowest bid. On Wednesday, legislation introduced by state Sen. Michael Noland, D-Elgin, to change that law, making it possible for community colleges to take into account where an item was made when making purchasing decisions, passed the Illinois Senate.    President to receive New Balance sneakers | The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, D-2nd District, planned to present the sneakers to the president Friday evening at a fundraiser at the Portland Museum of Art. They are made with natural pig skin, mesh and labels manufactured in the U.S.    BAMW: America's best ladder is American-made With Little Giant, you get a great, high-quality, sturdy, long-lasting, American-made ladder with all kinds of optional accessories. In addition to the free work platform you'll get with your order, you can order a ladder rack, project tray, cargo hold, wing span, airdeck, or leg leveler.    Poll: AC Transit Buys American. Should Other Agencies? Vote in the online poll to encourage other agencies to buy American! Here's your chance to make a bold statement in favor of American jobs! Other agencies ARE getting on board. Let's keep the ball (or in this case, the bus) rolling!    BAMW: American-made products for American fundraisers This group is about helping organizations find American-made fundraising ideas. And in doing so they are creating a perfect win-win situation: they're helping folks raise money for good causes, and they're helping them support American jobs at the same time. Their name? A Day To Market America.    BAMW: American store stocks hard-to-find American products More and more Americans are searching for 'made in USA' goods these days, so it's good to know there are websites out there to help us find those American-made - and union-made - products that many patriotic consumers are seeking.    BAMW: Keeping a resurgent American industry in America Silverware is one of those categories where an abundance of cheap, Chinese-made offerings abound on the shelves of retail stores across America.    U.S. won't allow more fungicide in orange juice - FDA The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday declined to raise the levels it will accept of an illegal fungicide commonly used in the Brazilian orange juice industry. Brazilian and U.S. juice industry groups had asked the FDA to allow higher levels of the fungicide, carbendazim, until June 2013 to allow the industry time to switch to another option.    Panel: Whirlpool hurt by S. Korean, Mexican washer imports Whirlpool Corp. is being harmed by imports of large, residential washing machines made in South Korea and Mexico, a U.S. panel ruled in the first step toward imposing tariffs on the products. The U.S. International Trade Commission voted 4-1 Friday in Washington on Whirlpool's petition for anti-dumping duties on LG Electronics Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. shipments, saying sales of the products below fair value are harming the Benton Harbor-based company.    BAMW: "Select Seconds" Sale If you've thought about ordering your own copy of "How Americans Can Buy American" and aren't necessarily concerned about it being in museum-style condition, then the "Select Seconds Sale" is for you.    Made in the USA Kitchen Products MetroKitchen has a large selection of American kitchen products made here in the USA like All-Clad, John Boos, Enclume, and more. Get Free Shipping too!    New views, policies lift manufacturing sector New employment figures released Friday show that U.S. manufacturing gained 50,000 jobs in January 2012 -- the biggest montly gain in that sector since August 1998.    Outsourcing bill calls for disclosure The Outsourcing Accountability Act would amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 so that any company required to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission must annually disclose where it has workers and how much that has changed.    Rep. Cravaack secures American-made steel mandate for transportation projects U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack (MN-8) secured legislative provisions that will create U.S. jobs, increase U.S. steel production, and ensure that more American steel product is used in federal transportation construction projects.    Is 'Made in America' Back In Style? Brooks Brothers is also playing up that "large percentage" of its goods come from American factories. Claudio Del Vecchio, Brooks Brothers' CEO, told Bloomberg News, "There is a customer that appreciates that the product is made in the United States and is willing to pay for the difference."    The High Price Of Low Prices Wal-Mart's attempt at becoming more environmentally conscious were marred by organic label lawsuits and cut rate organic certifications. The corporation needs to start by giving employees benefits, better hours, and collective bargaining rights; also they should supply more American made products.    Honda loses Small Claims Court suit over Civic hybrid fuel economy A Los Angeles County court commissioner ruled that American Honda Motor Co. negligently misled Civic owner Heather Peters when it claimed the hybrid could achieve as much as 50 miles per gallon.    Condron Homes starts 'Made in America' push Prominent Spokane homebuilder Condron Homes LLC is constructing a home with all American-made materials and plans to expand the concept to all of the homes the company builds in the future, says Corey Condron, the company's owner.    BAMW: Truly American Tuna If you're like me and love tuna, perhaps you've felt a little constrained in enjoying it as often as you like for a couple of reasons.    Senators Say 'Local Only' Purchasing Would Hurt Florida Businesses Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, the sponsor of the bill, said local preference requirements have kept businesses from competing for contracts, drive up costs and hinder free-market competition. "It is not government's role to create unfair advantages to local business. As a matter of fact, it's not their responsibility, it's not their right," Simmons said.    BAMW: Coming soon to a store near you: American-made HDTVs! If you're like me and you've been holding on to your old American-made tube-type TV in hopes there will someday be an American-made HDTV, your time has come!    Inn Expansion Project Is Made In America Church Landing at Mill Falls is constructing 15 new suites and an indoor/outdoor pool and sun deck with a fireplace. Developers said almost all of the products used on the job are from the United States and are being put together by local contractors. The idea was sparked by an ABC News segment that challenged people to buy American.    Maine delegates hope it's more than rhetoric The president could help the manufacturing sector by ordering the Department of Defense to buy American-made athletic shoes, Michaud said in a phone interview. That would boost New Balance, the only major manufacturer that still makes athletic shoes in America -- at plants in Skowhegan, Norridgewock and Norway, he added.    Army Boots For IDF To Come From USA; Israeli Company Forced Out Of Business One victim of such aid is the Brill factory, which is closing its doors following a decision from Defense Minister Ehud Barak to purchase army boots from the USA, as stipulated in the aid agreements between the two countries.    Ford salaried workers to get raises, bonuses Ford Motor Co. is showing confidence in its turnaround and the U.S. economy by giving pay raises and bonuses to 20,000 white-collar workers mainly in the U.S. and Canada.    Car Makers' U-Turn Steers Job Gains Ford Motor Co. said it plans to spend $1.1 billion to retool a plant near Kansas City, adding 1,600 jobs, and General Motors Co. has said it would spend about $380 million to refit its Wentzville, Mo., plant to build midsize pickups.    Apple juice made in America? Think again For instance, while 85% of the apple juice Americans drink is imported, only about 7% of the apples they eat are. Andy Jerardo, an economist at the USDA, says that's because the juice often comes from China, which produces apples that are inferior for snacking but good for drinking.    Kia Recalls 146,000 Optimas and Rondos for Driver's Air Bag Flaw Kia had resisted issuing a recall for almost two years, agreeing only after the agency made clear that it would push the issue by sending an unusual, formal demand for a recall.    Use State 'Buy American' Rules To Promote Insourcing California decided to 'save money' by purchasing Chinese steel to build the new Bay Bridge. Now there's an antidote for California's stupidity. It is legislation called the Invest in American Jobs Act. Championed by U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall, (D-W.Va.) and Senators Sherrod Brown, (D-Ohio), Bob Casey, (D-Pa.), and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), it would strengthen existing requirements for buying American products when federal tax dollars pay for construction of highway, bridge, public transit, rail, water systems and aviation infrastructure equipment.    BAMW: Sustainable American Products for a Sustainable American Economy If you're looking for a uniquely American gift idea that makes an ideal hostess, wedding, or holiday gift, you'll want to check out Kentucky Cutting Boards.    All Imported Orange Juice to Be Tested, FDA Says The Food and Drug Administration says it will be testing all orange juice entering the U.S. after low levels of the fungicide carbendazim were found in juice.    HDTVs: Now Made in America TV owners can soon see the words 'Made in America' on their television sets once again as Element Electronics has announced the grand opening and initial production of its new flat screen TV factory in Detroit, Michigan.    Made in America: Local Business Sells Only USA Made Products One Grand Junction, Colorado business woman has dedicated her store to this concept, selling only American products to help American families.    Casey bill requires buy-American on infrastructure projects U.S. Sen. Bob Casey has introduced a bill to strengthen buy-American provisions for manufactured goods on federally funded highway, bridge, rail, aviation and public transit projects.    Holiday shoppers pledge to 'Occupy Christmas' and buy American The buy American movement has been gaining momentum in recent years amid the economic downturn, steady unemployment and pledges from the Obama administration to reinvigorate the manufacturing sector. A 2010 Adweek Media/Harris Poll found that 3 in 5 Americans (61%) said they were more likely to purchase a product advertised as 'Made in America.'    Trade war could hurt Idaho solar industry Hoku, which has a plant in Pocatello, is the U.S. subsidiary of Tianwei New Energy, a Chinese company, but could end up a victim of retaliatory Chinese tariffs.    A Made-in-the-USA Christmas And it seems more Americans are interested in buying U.S.-made goods than ever before. An October 2010 poll by Harris Interactive reflected that 61% of Americans are more likely to purchase an item when advertised as 'Made in America.' A 2009 BIG Research poll showed that 57% of Americans make a conscious effort to buy domestic goods. However, 65% expressed that it's more difficult than ever to find American-made products in stores.    U.S. Shoppers Foot Bill for Soaring Pay in China After decades as America's go-to destination for low-cost consumer goods, China is undergoing a profound shift. Rapid economic development and a smaller supply of young migrant workers are pushing up labor costs. Tack on rising raw-materials prices, driven largely by Chinese demand, and a strengthening currency, and China-made goods aren't the bargains they used to be.    China to Impose Duties on US-Imported Cars The Commerce Ministry said Wednesday that the duties would be imposed for two years on imported cars and sport utility vehicles with engine displacements of over 2.5 liters. The duties range from 2 percent to 21.5 percent. China and the U.S. are at odds over a slew of trade issues. Beijing also has imposed tariffs on imports of U.S. chicken, among other products, while the U.S. has filed complaints against Chinese tariffs on steel and subsidies for wind power equipment.    BAMW: Going solar and buying American Every now and then, I'm asked why I sometimes write about companies that have less than 100 percent American content in their products. It's a very good question, and I have an answer that is equally as good.    BAMW: Creating an American-made Christmas Christmas is not only a special time of the year to give to your loved ones and those on your Christmas list. It's also a special opportunity to give and help guarantee prosperity to other American workers you don't know and who aren't on your Christmas list.    Cumberland County Stores Helps Promote Economy Selling Only Made in USA Products Rebecca Lee, owner of Tickle My Senses in New Cumberland, said not only does she keep her shelves stocked with American goods but she knows that it helps the economy.    Senate Passes Udall-Schumer 'Buy American' Solar Amendment for Defense Dept. The Buy American Solar Amendment, which passed Thursday night as part of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, will ensure that 'Buy American' requirements apply to all photovoltaic (solar) devices that supply power Department of Defense property or facilities.    An Economic Recovery Plan that Would Actually Work With import tariffs ranging from 25 to 300 percent, China has the money to not only employ citizens but also to create high-speed rail projects that the United States can only dream of doing. In fact, the nation is earning so much, it can afford to help keep the American government running. The U.S. is supposed to be a superpower, yet this communist country is beating us economically. While China was making profits and improving its infrastructure, our national debt grew to over $14.4 trillion in 2010, and our balance of trade deficit was $561 billion that same year.    Weekend Weigh-in on the new USA Love List You Tube channel Why don't more companies identify themselves as supporting the very Americans who buy their products? Here are some commercials that have. To some, these are feel-good spots. To others, they are controversial and leave a bad taste. How do you feel?    StyleMint: American Made Fits Fashion To a T A few months ago, the Olsen twins made a buzz in the media when they declared a promise to make their clothing exclusively in the US. As the designers of the high-end fashion line "The Row", the twins have inspired a growing american-made movement in the fashion industry. Celebrities have been sporting their luxury line, featuring $900 tops and $1,300 skirts. For the rest of us, StyleMint was created.    Honda Adds 273,000 Vehicles to Long-Running Air Bag Recall In its fifth action to handle the same defect, Honda announced that it would recall 273,000 vehicles for defective air-bag deployment systems, a problem that has led to the recall of nearly 2 million Hondas since 2008.    Metro bars 'Buy American' ad A local group's plan to buy ads on Metro buses urging people to "Buy American" and "Shop Locally" has been rejected by King County as too political.    Here's Some Good Economic News: U.S. Manufacturing Is Rising Once Again "Made in America" is of such general interest that ABC World News Tonight created a series on the topic last spring and built a searchable online directory of U.S. manufacturing facilities. The TV network also developed this helpful resource guide on finding ways to purchase American-made goods. Similarly, Roger Simmermaker's How Americans Can Buy American contains more than 16,000 products/services made in the United States, and the author has an accompanying e-guide to more than 2,500 goods sold at popular retailers.    U.S. Bridges, Roads Being Built by Chinese Firms Cities hire Chinese instead of American workers for building projects.    Protestors reinvigorate buy-American debate Buying local and American-made became a battle cry for some in the movement that blames big business greed for shuttering American operations and shipping those jobs overseas.    Black Friday Marks Start of Buy American Month TAP America Urges Citizens to Purchase Domestically Made Goods, Experiential Gifts & Boycott China This Holiday Season    BAMW: Bill O'Reilly sells foreign-made goods to "Restore the USA" Bill O'Reilly is making a mockery of what it means to "Restore the USA" in his O'Reilly store online by offering to sell pens made in China, hats made in Vietnam, Pakistan, or China, and shirts made in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, or Nicaragua.    BAMW: Choose Made in USA One of the cherished freedoms we have in America is the freedom to choose.    WTO Rules Against U.S. On Country of Origin Labeling The United States lost yet another case decided by the World Trade Organization (WTO) today. The WTO dispute panel ruled in favor of Mexico and Canada in saying that U.S. country of origin labeling laws (COOL) constituted an unfair trade protection against foreign producers. This is just the latest in a long line of losses for the U.S. in the WTO. In nine out of 10 cases brought against it the United States comes out on the losing end.    Bill Clinton's 'Back to Work' Promotes Buying American Idea #43 on page 182 suggests to 'Promote affordable opportunities to Buy American' and mentions Roger Simmermaker and his 'How Americans Can Buy American' series of buying guides as well as Diane Sawyers-'Made in America' series on ABC's World News Tonight.    BAMW: American drapes and blinds Two characteristics that provide crystal clear evidence of just how committed certain companies are to "Buying American" are how and where they place their information on their website declaring all of their products are "made in USA."    Toyota recalls 550,000 cars for steering issue Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it is recalling 550,000 vehicles worldwide, including 420,000 in the U.S., over a steering issue. Since 2009, Toyota has recalled more than 15 million vehicles in the United States, including 7 million in 2010, over a series of issues as it has struggled to put sudden acceleration issues behind it.    Merchants say customers asking for more products made in USA Roger Simmermaker, author of 'How Americans Can Buy American,' says that 'awareness is the key' when it comes to getting American consumers back on track.    Revived Mill Keeps Jobs In Town The Mooty family is banking on the Faribault Woolen Mills brand and its intrinsic value. It has a 145-year old history and has warmed an incredible range of people - from soldiers in World War I to passengers on airplanes.    Bruce Cochrane to launch case goods producer Lincolnton Furniture Lincolnton Furniture will make solid wood bedroom and dining room furniture in a former 310,000-square-foot Cochrane plant in Lincolnton, which also is Cochrane's hometown.    BAMW: "Buy American!" shirt sale...get a FREE book For a very limited time, buy any two "Buy American!" shirts and get a FREE copy of the third edition of How Americans Can Buy American: The Power of Consumer Patriotism!    U.S. says China, Taiwan, Mexico and UAE dumping products The Commerce Department set preliminary duty rates of 106.22 to 141.08 percent on the Chinese products and 12.03 percent on the Taiwanese in a victory for North Carolina-based Clariant Corp, which asked for relief earlier this year.    BAMW: Making furniture the American way When you're in the mood and the market to buy furniture, it makes sense to not only buy it for reasons that matter to you, but also for reasons that matter to the health and prosperity of our country as well.    Buy American Act brings business to area company A small suburban company has been awarded a big government contract. It is a contract that was slated to go to a South Korean company until the Buy American Act was exercised.    New bill requires state to buy American A little more patriotism soon will grace any employee uniform provided by the state, thanks to Hou se Bill 12, which prohibits a public employer from buying uniforms or equipment that isn't manufactured in the United States. "If we're going to be spending taxpayer dollars buying uniforms, we should at least in every case where it's possible, purchase U.S.-made products," said Del. Wendell Beitzel, R-1A-Garrett and Allegany, who sponsored HB 12. Beitzel said the bill was inspired by a Maryland-based business that produces uniforms for various agencies. "The only reason it's still in business is because several states have requirements that uniforms have to be American made," he said. "I thought it'd be appropriate for Maryland to have that ... and thankfully, the house and senate agreed with me."    "Buy American" becomes business model for store owner At Bert's All American Market, he sells only products made in the USA and tries to carry as many as possible from Colorado. "We have thousands of products in the store. People are coming in and buying them. That generates demand and orders at all of these other hundreds of companies, so yeah; we're trying to support hundreds of other employers, perhaps thousands of them," Wasisanen said.    BAMW: Buying an American-made Camry is not buying American A few auto review websites have recently listed the U.S.-built Toyota Camry as the apparent "most American vehicle" for 2012. The problem with this declaration is that it is determined on criteria that is simplistic at best.    BAMW: American-made t-shirts for kids Have you often found it difficult locating American-made clothing for your kids? And if you don't have children or grandchildren, maybe you've found it difficult searching for an American-made gift for birthdays for children that they will surely like?    The Autoworkers' Haves and Have-Nots Roger Simmermaker weighs in on the most recent New York Times Room for Debate forum.    BAMW: Quality American-made and tanned leather One area where there is a huge difference in quality between American-made, and say, Chinese-made products, but not such a big difference in price, is in the area of hand-made leather products.    Patriotic purchasing With a U.S. unemployment rate of 9.1 percent and a creeping dread about the economy, Simmermaker is part of a renewed movement to persuade American consumers to buy products made in the U.S. to advance economic growth and keep people working.    BAMW: An American blender that really blends So whether it's mixed drinks, smoothies, whole juices, batters, ice cream, frozen yogurt, milkshakes, sauces, dressings, syrups, breads, appetizers, entrees, desserts, cookies, cakes, or pies, Blendtec has an American-made blender for you that's up to the task.    Brevard man wants you to buy American New Balance is one of the few American manufacturers of athletic shoes, so it only makes sense that the 46-year-old Simmermaker, author of 'How Americans Can Buy American,' wears that brand.    'Buy American' gets new emphasis For too long, movement leaders say, consumers have ignored where products are made and simply chased what they believe is the most inexpensive price -- ultimately enriching countries like China and keeping workers there employed.    Buying American is emphasized With Monday being Labor Day, a U.S. unemployment rate of 9.1 percent and a creeping dread about the economy, Simmermaker is part of a renewed movement to persuade American consumers to buy products made in the U.S. to advance economic growth and keep people working.    Florida Man Proudly Touts 'Buy American' Cause A Florida man who walks the walk instead of just talking the talk when it comes to buying U.S.-made products has become the unofficial spokesman for buying American products. Roger Simmermaker takes it right down to his shoes, as he steps out in footwear from New Balance, one of the few American manufacturers of athletic shoes, according to Florida Today.    'Buy American' gets new emphasis A few years ago, a crew from CNN inventoried Simmermaker's home to see how many of his household items were American-made. He passed CNN's scrutiny and estimates that about 85% of the items in his home are American-made --(AT) from his New Balance shoes to his 1996 Lincoln Town Car that has more than 315,000 miles on the odometer.    Buy American! Chinese order 94 emergency vehicles from Michigan maker Spartan Chassis of Michigan (Nasdaq:SPAR) has begun supplying 25 Metro Star emergency response cabs and chassis to the Beijing, Shenyang, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Wenzhou and Wuhan fire departments in China.    Increase 200,000 U.S. Jobs by Buying American Made Products this Labor Day The Futon Shop, a multiplier manufacturer, has been making green mattresses in San Francisco since 1976. Buy green buy American! A new line of American made certified organic crib mattresses will be introduced this Labor Day.    Sherrill Manufacturing resumes flatware production with boost from Internet retailer A big order from an Internet-based retailer has let Sherrill Manufacturing begin making stainless-steel spoons, knives and forks at the former Oneida Ltd. factory for the first time in nearly a year.    Roemer slams China in front of Chinese Embassy Calling China a 'bear' that eats American jobs with unfair trade policies as its fork, presidential candidate Buddy Roemer made his jobs speech Thursday in front of a location he called the 'bear's den' - the Chinese Embassy.    Lipinski introduces 'Buy American' Bill U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-Western Springs, today introduced the Buy American Improvement Act, to create jobs by eliminating loopholes in existing Buy American laws so that taxpayer money buys products made in the U.S., not in foreign countries.    Burnet passes 'Buy American' resolution Burnet County Commissioners passed a resolution for county leaders to make a conscious effort to buy American-made products in hopes of raising awareness about supporting the United States economy.    BAMW: Join the Buy American Project! We saw the lack of pro-buy American legislation and pro-American manufacturing legislation coming out of congress, and we saw a need to give Americans a united voice behind a patriotic cause we all believed in. For these reasons, the non-profit Buy American Project was established.    U.S. releases millions to develop railways, create jobs Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released $336.2 million to five U.S. states to invest in American-made trains for their existing rail networks. All told, including previously awarded funds, California, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, and Washington will receive a combined $782 million to buy 33 quick-acceleration locomotives and 120 bi-level passenger cars, according to a DOT statement.    Honda recalls 2.5M vehicles worldwide for stalls, shifting problems Honda vehicles aren't the only thing stalling. Their sales are too, down 28% last month, while sales at GM, Ford, and Chrysler rose.    BAMW: The All-American mixing machine It's difficult to buy American-made small kitchen appliances these days. That's one reason that it's refreshing to know that there are companies like Vitamix that make all of their blenders and other products in the United States at their world headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio.    Can Manufacturing Fuel a U.S. Recovery? See Roger Simmermaker's contribution to a New York Times 'Room for Debate' online forum.    US exports millions of chopsticks to China Georgia Chopsticks, based in the southern state of Georgia, is producing two million sets of the traditional eating utensils each day. They cost less than a penny each to make and are being sold in Chinese supermarkets.    New Balance struggles as last remaining major U.S. athletic shoemaker For decades, shoes coming in from China and Vietnam, the largest sources of imported footwear, have been hit with tariffs of as much as 20 percent or more. The company's primary concern is that any free-trade agreement with Vietnam would likely eliminate the steep tariff on footwear imported from that country, making Vietnamese sneakers even cheaper than they already are. New Balance employees earn upward of $10 an hour, plus benefits, while labor costs in China are about $1.50 an hour, and even less in Vietnam.    Britney Spears, Beyonce and JLo Wearing High-End Gloves LaCrasia Gloves Co-Founders Jay Ruckel and LaCrasia Duchein on manufacturing high-end gloves.    GE tells American workers to go to hell, 'First Arkansas News' announces new series We've already heard from Roger Simmermaker of How Americans Can Buy American and we'll hear from Don Rongione of American Made Matters in the next day or two about the economic impact of the loss of manufacturing jobs throughout the nation. Expect other articles to follow.    Viewpoint: Wind Power for the World, Made in USA Can American manufacturers, paying fair wages, abiding by environmental regulations and paying their fair share of U.S. taxes compete against Chinese-government backed companies determined to rule this alternative energy field?    Buying American? Simmermaker built his site around his book of the same title that is updated regularly and has grown to include links to American manufacturers, the place to sign up for an email list that touts American manufacturers and a journal of the author's media appearances. Simmermaker said increased traffic to his site and others offering resources to those who want to purchase American-made goods and support U.S. companies is partially the result of people seeking out ways to do something that is increasingly difficult -- buying goods made in the nation by domestic companies.    Study: St. Louisans Prefer American Made Cars CarGurus founder Langley Steinert says St. Louis finished right behind Detroit and ahead of Cleveland, in the number of people looking for American models, Detroit and St. Louis had about 67% of car shopping behavior focused on American brands.    Made in the USA focus at furniture store While many furniture stores are going out of business, Cronin hopes his dedication to selling American goods will help his business. About 80 to 85 percent of the inventory at the shop is made in the United States, he said.    BAMW: Saving America's Superpower Status Even though less that 10 percent of working Americans holds a factory job, which pales in comparison to nearly 33 percent half a century ago, the increasing and undeniable consensus is that American-made definitely matters.    BAMW: Made Here, Baby! One question I am asked fairly often is about how to find American-made clothes and other products for children, as it is often much easier to find items like clothes and shoes suited for adults than it is for children and teens that are made in the USA.    Surging China costs turn some U.S. makers homeward "I can manufacture combination locks in Milwaukee for less of a cost than I can in China," said Bob Rice, a senior vice president at the largest U.S. padlock manufacturer.    Of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1% Americans have been watching protests against oppressive regime s that concentrate massive wealth in the hands of an elite few. Yet in our own democracy, 1 percent of the people take nearly a quarter of the nation's income. In terms of wealth rather than income, the top 1 percent control 40 percent. Their lot in life has improved considerably. Twenty-five years ago, the corresponding figures were 12 percent and 33 percent.    Obama: We Need More Manufacturing Jobs The president's keen interest in making things is more than just smokestack nostalgia. Economist Jared Bernstein, who until recently led the administration's Middle Class Task Force, notes that pay and benefits in factory jobs average 20 percent higher than those in the service sector.    Labor Deals Help Fuel Rebound in Auto Jobs That Boost Economy GM is hiring nearly 4,000 people to fill shifts at its Hamtramck factory and two other Michigan plants. The company is also adding engineers at its Warren, Mich., technical center. In Hamtramck, where GM builds the Volt plug-in hybrid, City Manager William Cooper estimated the added hiring would bring $250,000 in extra revenue to the city, which was on the brink of bankruptcy a few months ago.    Lower-Tax Shores Draw U.S. Firms U.S. IPOs by companies incorporated in two tax havens--the Cayman Islands and Bermuda--have grown steadily in recent years, according to research firm Dealogic, from about 1% of the total a decade ago to 26% in 2010 and more than 21% so far this year. Luggage maker Samsonite, founded in Denver a century ago and more recently based in Massachusetts, is now incorporated in Luxembourg, the consequence of a 2007 takeover by private-equity firm CVC Capital Partners.    Made in the USA Hall of Fame Awards Celebrates Excellence in USA Manufacturing This event will take place at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, in Los Angeles, California on July 2, 2011, and celebrates businesses who exhibit excellence in US manufacturing practices and standards.    The GOP Myth of 'Job-Killing' Spending Large deficits, it is claimed, are creating huge uncertainties that are depressing business investment. But while real gross domestic product grew a paltry 2.3% over the last four quarters, business spending on equipment and software skyrocketed 14.7%. No doubt, there is lots of uncertainty. But investment is soaring anyway.    BAMW: Maintaining America's manufacturing might As patriotic Americans consider the ongoing and consistent trade deficits that have become so commonplace to America's economy, many wish our nation would do more to expand manufacturing across the country and return to the days when we actually exported more products than we imported.    Workers' share of national income plummets to record low The chart jibes with other data, which show that since the 1980s, income for the richest 1 percent of Americans has exploded, while hardly budging at all for everyone else.    Korea free trade agreement will benefit North Korea Goods with up to 65 percent non-South Korean content can enter the United States with preferential, often duty free, treatment under this agreement. Nothing in this agreement prevents that foreign content from being North Korean.    Buy American Jobs Eight million American manufacturing workers have lost their jobs over the past 30 years as multi-national corporations off-shored factories. But America still manufactures and the prices of American-manufactured goods, including those made by union workers, are competitive with foreign-made products.    Made in USA: Overseas jobs come home According to Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Chinese labor costs are rising about 15% to 20% a year. That makes producing goods in China not nearly as cheap as it used to be. For many manufacturers, that narrowing is enough to tip the balance back to U.S. plants.    365 Barrington: Be Proud to BUY American at Norton's U.S.A. The stars and stripes are flying in Barrington and one local business is celebrating four years of supporting workers who make goods right here in America.    Senator Wants US Flags Made in America U.S. Sen Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio will introduce legislation that would make flags purchased by the Federal Government be entirely made in America.    Report urges U.S. tariff cuts to help poor consumers The United States collected about $26 billion in tariffs on about $1.9 trillion of imports in 2010, suggesting an average tariff rate of only 1.3 percent.    Jobs once in Mexico come to Kentucky When Ebonite bought the factory last year, it was in Mexico, employing 27 people; labor was cheaper. Company officials thought they could move all the equipment to Kentucky, apply the latest time and labor-saving techniques, and a dozen American workers could produce just as much.    ABC's 'Made in America' helps sell American-made products The Vaughan-Bassett furniture company says they saw a 1,600% increase in inquiries and received more orders in two weeks than they had in 6 months. Another furniture company L.J. Gascho went from 35 to 60 employees because of an uptick in sales.    BAMW: Keeping America's candle industry burning bright ... the best way to keep our American candle makers prospering in the face of potential crippling Chinese competition is to use the power of our pocketbooks and vote with our dollars to support American industries. It's especially important in industries like the candle industry where cheap producers like China constantly seek loopholes to get around laws intended to protect domestic companies against such practices.    Wal-Mart: Our shoppers are 'running out of money' Wal-Mart has struggled with seven straight quarters of sales declines in its stores.    Smithsonian Opening 'Made in America' Store This Week "They are making some progress in getting American vendors to start selling to the Smithsonian. We've got a lot more work ahead of us, but I think we are making progress," said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.    Lawmakers: Make U.S. souvenirs in U.S.A. On "The Early Show," CBS News Correspondent Michelle Miller shared the story of one small business owner who saw a sharp decline in profits when one very well-known American tourist spot turned to overseas manufacturers to stock its store shelves.    American muscle cars outselling fuel-thrifty hybrids despite $4 gas At a time when gasoline topped $4 a gallon in many cities, it's hard to imagine that road-eating big American muscle cars would top hybrids when it comes to sales. But that was the case last month. The combined sales of Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, and Chevrolet Camaro topped the total of environment-loving hybrids. Americans scarfed up 19,476 of the pony cars, Autodata figures show, compared with 17,852 hybrids, as totaled by Edmunds.com.    Blue-collar brands profit from 'Made in USA' tag "There is a customer that appreciates that the product is made in the US and is willing to pay for the difference," Brooks Brothers CEO Claudio Del Vecchio said in an interview. While Brooks Brothers made few goods in the US ten years ago, today a "large percentage" is American-made, he said.    WTO rules against U.S. COOL program A World Trade Organization panel has issued a preliminary ruling on the case that Canada and Mexico filed against the U.S. country-of-origin-labeling law, charging that the mandatory rule violates WTO trade standards.    BAMW: How to save Social Security and Medicare At the heart of the political debate these days is how to curb runaway budget deficits that have amassed a national debt of $14 trillion over the last three decades.    Can "Made in USA" survive in a global economy? Should it? Topps executives recently made the tough decision to renew their lease in New York City's Manhattan, a move that may cost more money but remains true to the company's American roots. "We decided that being an American company and being located in the heart of New York, where we've always been, made a lot of sense," O'Hara said.    Made in USA label worth the extra cost As the owner of a business with three products that could be made overseas for a lot less, we have chosen to take less profit and stick with the manufacturer (Specialty Sewing Senter) here in Yuma. Maybe that is a fiscally irresponsible or a dumb decision, but the Made in the USA label is too important to this Navy veteran.    Olsen Twins Lure Wealthy Shoppers With Made-in-America "There is a customer that appreciates that the product is made in the United States and is willing to pay for the difference," Brooks Brothers Chief Executive Officer Claudio Del Vecchio said in an interview. While Brooks Brothers made few goods in the U.S. 10 years ago, today a "large percentage" is American-made, he said.    Soft Star Launches New Minimalist Running Shoe Made in USA Each shoe is handcrafted to order in their solar-powered workshop in Oregon using locally sourced leathers and genuine Vibram soling products. Customers can choose their preferred soling thickness and design their own colors.    BAMW: How to have an All-American Memorial Day On Memorial Day, in addition to remembering American soldiers who gave their lives for their country, many Americans will be firing up their outdoor grills for what has become the traditional start of the grilling season.    We've painted ourselves into a globalism corner So, which is it? Is it great to buy American to keep what manufacturing we have left to supply our own military and employ Americans whose taxes help support the US military and national infrastructure? Or is it great to give away more of the farm to overseas nations that cheat America and to lobbyists and profiteers who assist them?    What if you had to buy American? Our homes would be stripped virtually bare of telephones, televisions, toasters and other electronics, and many of our favorite foods and toys would be gone, too.    Company that Congressman Issa (R-CA) founded underpaid tariffs The Vista car-alarm company once owned by Congressman Darrell Issa was paying about half the required tariffs on certain parts it imported from China for years and paid an estimated $2.5 million in back duties earlier this year to rectify the situation.    From China, an end run around U.S. tariffs In January 2005, the Commerce Department slapped import tariffs on Chinese-made beds, nightstands and related wares. Imports now account for about 70 percent of the U.S. market for beds and similar items, up from 58 percent before Washington intervened to try and protect domestic manufacturers from Chinese "dumping," or the export of goods at unfairly low prices.    US revokes tariffs on hot-rolled steel from Japan and Brazil, but not from Russia The US International Trade Commission on Thursday voted to lift tariffs on hot-rolled steel from Brazil and Japan following a 4-2 vote, saying that revoking the antidumping and countervailing duty orders for Japan and Brazil would not harm domestic steel producers. However, in a unanimous 6-0 vote, the ITC decided not to suspend antidumping duty orders on hot-rolled steel imports from Russia, saying it could lead to material injury to domestic producers.    MURPHY: There's help if you want to buy American Vote With Your Wallet, the local group espousing a "buy-American-to-save America" philosophy, is ready to challenge the nation.    Q&A with Pin Li, President of Chicago-based subsidiary of the Chinese-owned Wanxiang America Corporation When we (the Chinese company operating in the U.S.) are in China we are competing with everybody. In the U.S. we become (through acquisition of American companies) the only one who can compete. When we (the Chinese company operating in the U.S.) take over here (in America) and we dial back into the sales system in china, we have American technology and Chinese sales.    GE To Open New Locomotive Plant in Texas GE Transportation announced today that it intends to open a new locomotive manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas, to meet accelerating global demand. GE will invest up to $96 million in the new plant and will create more than 500 new high-tech manufacturing jobs which will expand its manufacturing workforce at its Erie, Pennsylvania, plant by hiring an additional 250 workers.    US rules imports harm Whirlpool's business The US International Trade Commission voted 5 to 0 in Washington yesterday in a preliminary ruling on the petition by Whirlpool to get antidumping and countervailing duties imposed on so-called bottom-mount refrigerators made by Samsung Electronics Co. or LG Electronics Inc. in the two nations. The decision is the first of four the US company must win before tariffs of as much as 183 percent are imposed.    Whirlpool Harmed by Imports of Refrigerators, U.S. Rules "This unanimous decision by the ITC validates the action we've taken to protect our 23,000 U.S. employees and the communities in which they work," Jill Saletta, a spokeswoman for Whirlpool, said in a statement. Whirlpool, of Benton Harbor, Michigan, on March 30 said it was seeking dumping duties against Gyeonggi, South Korea-based Samsung and Seoul-based LG in South Korea of 33 percent to 62 percent. From Mexico the dumping duty would be as much as 183 percent.    Wal-Mart returns to 'Buy American' roots. Really? Wal-Mart's CEO, Mike Duke, shocked an industry gathering recently when he said a majority of the retailer's products are now made in the United States. Industry experts have their doubts. Wal-Mart's U.S. push is more likely a matter of the mix of the products it's selling and how Americans are shopping, industry observers say, than a sign that it's returning to its patriotic roots.    BAMW: Re-Making the U.S. Economy The average American doesn't need to take a seriously dedicated look at the U.S. economy to know we as a country face formidable challenges.    'Made in the U.S.A.' may be staging comeback The next few years will bring a wave of reinvestment by U.S. multinational manufacturers in their home base, as rising wages and a strong yuan currency make China a less attractive production center, the paper by the Boston Consulting Group predicts.    US slaps anti-subsidy duty on Chinese wood flooring The U.S. Commerce Department said on Tuesday it had set preliminary duties of up to 27.01 percent on multilayered wood flooring from China to offset alleged government subsidies.    BAMW: Stick with American companies for an American kitchen Consumers often tend to think more about buying American when they are about to make a big ticket item purchase than they do when making smaller purchases, and for good reason.    Manufacturing your products in the USA; Hasbro steps up with a domestic contract manufacturing service Russ Davies of Hasbro is heading up that company's efforts to bring O.E.M. game manufacturing back to the U.S. by opening one of their factories to contract manufacturing.    "Made In America" Making A Comeback At Furniture Market According to the American Home Furnishings Alliance, 60% of all upholstery sold in the U.S. is made in the U.S., and about 35% of all of the wood furniture sold in the U.S. is made in America.    Lawmaker wants made-in-America U.S. flags "American flags should be made in America using American products - period," said the Iowa Democrat. "A lot of people in Congress pay lip service to the American worker and the quality of goods they produce, but we see little action to back it up."    GE to build massive thin-film U.S. solar plant GE said that its new plant, when complete, will be able to produce 400 megawatts worth of thin-film solar cells per year and employ 400 people. That would make it one of the largest thin-film solar manufacturing presences in the U.S. The U.S. solar market grew 67 percent between 2009 and 2010 and is now a $6 billion market, according to a recent report from Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and GTM Research.    BAMW: ABC World News and the Buy American Home Inspection If you're a fan of buying American, you've probably heard about or seen the ABC World News 'Made in America' series.    BAMW: Firming up American furniture factories It's no secret that the housing market is one of the hardest hit by the economic downturn. So you would think that the American furniture industry would simply follow the housing industry into the tank, and although in some cases it has, it doesn't have to be that way if we know where to shop and which furniture brands to buy.    Smithsonian opening a 'Made in America' gift shop But in a change prompted by congressional pressure, Americans visiting the American History Museum will soon be able to "Buy American." The Smithsonian Institution is planning to stock the shelves of a gift shop adjacent to its popular American presidents exhibit with goods only made in the United States.    General Mills Buying 50% Stake in Yoplait General Mills (GIS) has entered into exclusive talks with French private equity group PAI Partners and French dairy cooperative Sodiaal SA to buy a 50% stake in the entity which owns yogurt-maker Yoplait SAS and affiliated companies. As part of that offer, General Mills would take a controlling stake in the operating company.    1888 Mills touts USA-made towels "We're getting a lot of interest from retailers for our Made in USA goods because we're the only ones left, really."    Bill requires Smithsonian museum to 'Buy American' "It is utterly absurd, and frankly insulting, that the patriotic American mementos they are taking home today are stamped with the words 'Made in China,'" said Rep. Nick J. Rahall II, West Virginia Democrat, in a statement Thursday announcing his "Buy American at the Smithsonian Act."    ABC's 'Made in America' series Author Roger Simmermaker says, "Supporting American companies leads to a more independent America. Ownership equals control, and control equals independence. We cannot claim to be an independent country or control our own destiny if our manufacturing base is under foreign ownership or foreign control. A nation that cannot supply its own needs is not an independent nation."    New York producers pushing to define what is honey China has been finding ways around the tariffs law by labeling honey as a different type of sweetener, importing it through other countries (a practice known as honey laundering) or by setting up shell companies that go out of business once duties come due. So far, Florida, California, Wisconsin and North Carolina have set standards under law. Two dozen other states have legislation pending.    U.S. Plans for Trade Are Stalled House Republicans in February blocked a big expansion of trade adjustment assistance - which provides cash, training, relocation, job search and other benefits to workers displaced by globalization - from being renewed. Many of the 220,000 workers who took part in the program last year could have their benefits reduced as a result.    BAMW: An American industry worth saving Does America have a national manufacturing capital?    BAMW: Familiar brands aren't always American brands Consumers often make a habit, and understandably so, of patronizing products with which they are familiar.    Honda recalls defective cars Honda said yesterday it was recalling nearly 700000 vehicles worldwide because of defective parts that could stall the engine and cause problems restarting it in certain models.    Intelligence Community Fears U.S. Manufacturing Decline Over the last ten years, China has mounted the biggest challenge to the U.S. manufacturing sector ever seen, threatening producers of steel, chemicals, glass, paper, drugs and any number of other items with prices they cannot match. Not coincidentally, the United States has lost an average of 50,000 manufacturing jobs every month during the same period.    Store Closing After 55 Years; Sold Only Made In USA Furniture Menet's was built on the tradition of selling American made furniture, but Ronald said he believes that also led to the business's demise. "I was too proud selling American product," he said. "I regret that."    Potential NYSE, Deutsche Borse deal causes concern The merged company would be incorporated in the Netherlands and divide its headquarters between New York and Frankfurt.    Donald Trump at CPAC Despite our supposed free-trade agreement, not only has Mexico started manipulating exchange rates, but it also has placed a 25% duty on U.S. cheese, a 20% duty on U.S. wine, 15% duties on U.S. fruit and fruit juices, 15% duties on U.S. pencils and pens, 10% d uties on U.S. shampoo, hair spray, tooth paste and deodorant, and 10% duties on U.S. dog and cat food.    BAMW: California's Kwikset lesson: Don't lie about "American made" Back in October 2009, I wrote a "Buy American Mention of the Week" detailing the potential danger to the integrity of the "Made in U.S.A." label, which depended heavily on a future California Supreme Court ruling concerning Kwikset Corp.    Court In SF Rules That "Made In U.S.A." Lies Can Get You Sued Four Southern California residents won the right from the California Supreme Court today to sue a lock company for allegedly falsely labeling its locks as "Made in U.S.A."    Emerging market companies buy up the world The 100 "global challengers" come from 16 countries but China, India, Brazil, Mexico and Russia dominate the list. "What the U.S. and the UK accomplished in a 200-year span since the Industrial Revolution, we are going to watch China and India accomplish in a 30-year span," says Jim Quigley, CEO of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.    Manufacturing Is Vital Component To U.S. Economy Basically, they (Germany) say manufacturing is a very vital part of my economy. I t employs my people; it pays them great wages. So they have a country strategy. They approach it as a country. Now, those of us who are free marketeers would say, well, gee, you know, that's government interference. Well, I don't see that as government interference. I see that as the public sector establishing the rules of the road such that the private sector knows what those rules are and therefore, we can compete.    U.S.-China $6.6 billion soybean deal benefits Minnesota According to 2009 data MDA, soybeans account for 61 percent of the U.S. agricultural exports to China, followed by a small percentage of red meat (4 percent), poultry (3 percent) and dairy products (1 percent).    Some 57,000 Minnesota jobs at risk under proposed Korean trade pact The U.S. International Trade Commission, the independent federal agency tasked with estimating the likely economic effects of trade agreements, predicts that implementation of the Korea FTA would lead to an increase in the overall U.S. goods trade deficit of between $308 million and $416 million.    Another huge Toyota recall includes Lexus IS, GS in U.S. Toyota announced another massive global recall today: Nearly 1.7 million cars -- including Lexus IS and GS sedans in the U.S. -- for two fuel leak problems.    BAMW: Foreign investment -- Chinese style BAMW: Both Democrats and Republicans have long heralded foreign investment in the United States as a net positive for the United States.    Master Lock reassessing China In a new twist, however, it's China where Master Lock's costs are rising disruptively. The company has responded by pulling production back to Milwaukee, where the manufacturer of iconic padlocks was founded in 1921.    Buy American on Fox Tampa Bay American-made products: To buy or not to buy    National Export Initiative, part II: Will it work? Roger Simmermaker, author of How Americans Can Buy American, doesn't think so. In his "Buy American Mention of the Week" of April 14, 2010, he said, "We cannot expect other countries to surrender their markets to us simply because we have stupidly surrendered our market to them -- We've been giving foreign producers production-cost advantages over our own producers for at least 35 years now, and we can't expect them to start 'playing nice' with us and let us invade their markets to the tune of doubling our exports."    Pentagon Must 'Buy American,' Barring Chinese Solar Panels The military authorization law signed by President Obama on Friday contains a little-noticed "Buy American" provision for the Defense Department purchases of solar panels -- a provision that is likely to dismay Chinese officials as President Hu Jintao prepares to visit the United States next week. The new Buy American provision, created mainly by House and Senate conferees during a flurry of activity at the end of the lame-duck session of Congress, prevents the Defense Department from buying Chinese-made solar panels.    BAMW: Eleven easy ways to buy American in 2011 Consumers are seemingly more sensitive to buying American around the holidays than most other times during the year.    BAMW: The Chinese are coming I don't normally make predictions myself, but I'll venture out on a limb and make this one: 2011 will be the year that China makes a major attempt to buy American assets with money that used to be ours.    BAMW: How Americans Can Buy American is now available on Kindle and other e-readers Now you can take How Americans Can Buy American with you wherever you go!    Is Buying An American Car Trendy? Poll Shows Uptick In Patriotic Sentiment Roger Simmermaker, the author of "How Americans Can Buy American," told AOL Autos that to buy an American car, "consumers need to consider more than just buying one made in the U.S.A. To truly buy American, we need to buy an American-made car from an American-owned company -- GM, Ford or Chrysler -- with a high domestic parts-content. The ownership of a company matters because American companies have more factories in America, pay more taxes to America, get more of their parts from America, and support more workers, retirees and their dependents in America," he says.    BAMW: Buy American! shirt sale -- get a FREE BOOK For a very limited time, buy any two "Buy American!" shirts and get a FREE copy of the third edition of How Americans Can Buy American: The Power of Consumer Patriotism!    Free Trade Doesn't Work: Interview with Economist Ian Fletcher Libertarians simply don't know their history. Take out a $10 bill and have a look at the portrait on it. Alexander Hamilton, founding father and intellectual architect of American capitalism, was a protectionist, and protectionism was American policy from Independence until after WWII.    BAMW: Signed, sealed, and certified 'Made in USA' We've all heard the media continue to report on the dangers of product recalls - courtesy of foreign countries - like dog food, drywall, toys, vitamins, milk, and lead paint.    Free Trade Treasure and a Buy American Christmas Carol Roger Simmemaker's "How Americans can Buy American" would also be a great gift along with Ian Fletcher's "Free Trade Doesn't Work" for the patriot in your circle. You could wrap it in red paper, blue bow and white ribbon to boot! Just one item can make a huge difference around the nation. Every journey begins with one step, but collectively we can travel more miles together and get to our destination less weary.    Toyota to fix 380,000 Priuses in North America Toyota Motor Co. has announced a "limited service campaign" to fix cooling pumps on 378,000 Toyota Prius hybrid cars in North America. Air can leak into water pumps that cool parts of the electric drive systems on model year 2004 through 2007 Priuses. Excess air in the cooling system can allow bubbles to form which can, in turn, inhibit cooling.    BAMW: American-made toy has a leg up on Legos There's a great toy out there that is challenging and fun (for families and children), educational (for students and teachers), and is also affordable and requires no batteries. The name of this toy starts with an "L" but it's not Legos. It's a great new toy called Lockrobots!    Ford media blitz to target Korea trade Ford Motor Co. notes that Korea will export more than 500,000 vehicles to the United States this year, while U.S. vehicle exports to Korea in 2010 are likely to total fewer than 7,500. "If the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement isn't fixed, it would allow Korea to remain one of the most closed automotive markets in the world," a Ford ad says. Last year, about 7,600 U.S.-built vehicles were purchased in Korea, versus more than 411,000 exported to the U.S. Through August, the U.S. auto sector trade deficit with Korea was $6.8 billion, up from $4.8 billion over the same period in 2009.    Now Congress to purchase 'Made in America' goods U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur's (D-OH) bill, H.R. 2039, the Congressional Made in America Promise Act, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 371-36. The bill will extend Buy American Act requirements for federal agencies to apply to the legislative branch and aims to ensure that all of the products purchased by the U.S. House of Representatives and the United States Senate are American-made.    BAMW: American-made professional apparel from New York City, USA These days, there's little denying that health care is one of the biggest industries in America. But with that indisputable fact comes an opportunity to create many more American jobs in ways most people have probably never really given much thought.    Clothing company traces 'jeaneology' All American Clothing has become the first company in America to offer "traceability," what some are referring to as "jeaneology": every pair of their jeans comes with a number that, when entered on their website, will take the viewer back to the place where the cotton was grown, where it was turned into cloth, where it was cut and sewn, and finally where it is stored before being, and all of it is right here in America.    China Beginning U.S. Auto Takeover In Saginaw? In July, General Motors and Pacific Century Motors announced they reached an agreement for GM to sell GM Global Steering Holdings LLC, commonly known as Nexteer, to PCM. Now, months later, the transaction is nearing final approval -- making the China-based company the largest private employer in Saginaw County.    China's clout squeezes small businesses Small Texas manufacturers are having a tough time competing with China. "They'll take lower quality leather and pay premium prices for it, and just go in and buy all the production, which jumps the price up," said Bill Yonavich, founder of custom furniture maker Austin Ranch. "That's caused a pretty good change just in the last six months of 30, 40 cents per square foot -- a 15 to 20 percent increase," he said.    Public Support for Increased Trade, Except With South Korea and China Most Americans say that increased trade with Canada, Japan and European Union countries -- as well as India, Brazil and Mexico -- would be good for the United States. But reactions are mixed to increased trade with South Korea and China. More generally, there is increased skepticism about the impact of trade agreements such as NAFTA and the policies of the World Trade Organization. Roughly a third (35%) say that free trade agreements have been good for the United States, while 44% say they have been bad for the U.S.    Video: Fox Business host again decries GM bailout, Virg Bernero goes all angriest mayor in response. A week after America's angriest mayor suffered a bruising defeat in the Michigan governor's race, he stoked his boilers again and took on Fox Business provocateur Eric Bolling.    No new free trade agreement reached between U.S. and South Korea "While there are other unresolved issues, nowhere is this more evident than in the dangerously lopsided trade in automotive vehicles," the two said. "In 2009 alone, South Korea exported more than 476,000 autos to the U.S. while fewer than 6,000 U.S. vehicles managed to get through Korean trade barriers."    BAMW: The best American-made alternative to Chinese-made Lincoln Logs The traditions of true American craftsmen in this country have been part of our history that dates all the way back to the founding of our nation. This pride of making things in America is consistent with historical American qualities such as independence, self-reliance, and self-sufficiency.    Waving the Flag Who says Congress can't get its work done? On Sept. 30, the House of Representatives passed the All-American Flag Act on an enthusiastic, bipartisan (we assume) voice vote. If the Senate steps up, the federal government will be required by law to buy only flags entirely made in the U.S.A., down to the last fiber. The legislation closes a loophole in the Buy American Act of 1933, which, with some exceptions, requires the federal government to buy American-made things but allows flags with up to 50 percent foreign content to be classified as domestic-made. According to the Department of Commerce, China exported $2.5 million worth of American flags to the United States last year.    INTERVIEW-Nissan says needs 5 years of subsidies for EVs Nissan, which is introducing its Leaf all-electric car in December, needs government incentives to trigger volume so it can bring down the cost of the car, said Carlos Tavares, Nissan's executive vice president and head of U.S. operations. U.S. taxpayers who buy electric cars currently qualify for a federal tax credit of $7,500. States, including California, offer additional tax incentives.    The End of Free-Trade Globalization US corporations and banks remain free to move jobs and production whenever and wherever corporate strategy dictates, regardless of the consequences for the economy. Government can stop this by forcing them to serve the broader national interest. This is not as radical as it may sound. Every other leading industrial nation does it, one way or another.    18 Iconic Products That America Doesn't Make Anymore Meanwhile, plenty of beer is still made here, but many of America's most-iconic beer brands, including Miller, Coors, and Budweiser, are owned by foreign companies. In 2008, Anheuser-Busch, the St. Louis-based company that has a nearly 50 percent market share in the U.S., was sold to InBev, a Belgium-based conglomerate run by Brazilian executives.    BAMW: How to buy American for your All-American Baby Now that Halloween is past and Christmas inches closer (have you noticed most stores already have their Christmas decorations out?) you'll probably start thinking about the friends, family and loved ones on your list and what they might like to see under the Christmas tree.    The Free Trade Trap Free trade sounds nice. Protectionism sounds ugly. Free trade sounds capitalist. Protectionism sounds Marxist. So it is worthy of note that free trade was actually viewed by Karl Marx as a strategic force, a tool with which to undermine capitalism as an economic model: "But, in general, the protective system of our day is conservative, while the free trade system is destructive. It breaks up old nationalities and pushes the antagonism of the proletariat and the bourgeoisie to the extreme point. In a word, the free trade system hastens the social revolution. It is in this revolutionary sense alone, gentlemen that I vote in favor of free trade."    Toyota, Honda recall U.S. vehicles for brake problem Toyota is recalling 740,000 vehicles sold in the United States because of potentially unsafe brakes, adding to the automaker's 2010 recall woes. Meanwhile, Honda spokeswoman Christina Ra confirmed that the automaker is preparing to alert U.S. safety regulators Thursday of an impending recall. The recall will cover Acura RL and Honda Odyssey models from 2005, 2006 and 2007. Ra did not say how many vehicles will be recalled, but she did say the recall stems from problems similar to those behind the Toyota recall.    BAMW: How to have a 'Made in USA' Halloween Holiday Halloween is creeping up on us, and many Americans soon will make final purchases for things like decorations, costumes, and candy to make it a fun holiday for kids and grown ups too.    For Our China Trade Emergency, Dial Section 301 TEN years ago this fall the Senate sold out American manufacturing. By a vote of 83 to 15, it established so-called permanent normal trade relations with China, paving the way for that country to join the World Trade Organization. Today, though, our trade relations with China are anything but normal. The 2000 agreement's proponents insisted it would enable a billion Chinese consumers to buy American products. Instead, our bilateral trade deficit has increased 170 percent, largely because China has undermined free-market competition through illegal subsidies and currency manipulation.    BAMW: Here's proof import tariffs save and create American jobs There's been a long standing debate as to whether import tariffs are useful in either saving or creating American jobs.    53% in US Say Free Trade Hurts Nation: NBC/WSJ Poll 69 percent of Americans believe free trade agreements with other countries have cost jobs in the United States. 65 percent of union members and 61 percent of Tea Party sympathizers say free trade has hurt the U.S.    House votes to pressure China over yuan Lawmakers vote 348 to 79 to open the way for the U.S. to slap tariffs on Chinese goods.    Senate Dems try to punish firms that export jobs The bill would exempt companies that import jobs from paying the 6.2 percent Social Security payroll tax for new U.S. employees who replace overseas workers who had been doing similar work. The two-year exemption would be available for workers hired over the next three years. The tax cut - estimated to cost about $1 billion - would be partially offset by tax increases on companies that move jobs overseas. The bill would prohibit firms from taking deductions for business expenses associated with expanding operations in other countries. It would increase taxes on U.S. companies that close domestic operations and expand foreign ones to import products to the U.S.    BAMW: Sending truly American greetings Perhaps one of the consumer areas that proves the popular refrain "free trade and cheaper imports always result in lower prices for consumers" is an obvious, outright lie is the seemingly innocent area of greeting cards.    Hyundai Sonata Recall The Hyundai Motor Company recently announced a recall of their 2011 Hyundai Sonata, due to a potentially serious fault associated with the steering system of the vehicle. This recall affects an estimated 139,500 Hyundai Sonata vehicles, which were manufactured between the dates of December 11, 2009 and September 10, 2010.    BAMW: Call to action! Free Trade Doesn't Work: What Should Replace it and Why belongs in Barnes & Noble bookstores! In my last "Buy American Mention of the Week" on 9-17-10, I wrote about a great new book titled Free Trade Doesn't Work: What Should Replace it and Why by Ian Fletcher, which is available in my USA Shop for $19.95.    BAMW: Why Free Trade Doesn't Work for America Every now and then I come across a book I like enough to review since I think should be in the hands of every American and every member of congress    Chinese automaker SAIC may buy General Motors stock And you were worried about the American government's stake in GM was bad? How about the Chinese government?    Defazio defends American jobs; secures house vote on trade next week Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield) today announced that the House of Representatives will vote on his bill, H.R. 1875, the End the Trade Deficit Act, next week. DeFazio is part of a coalition that has been working with the House leadership to develop the 'Make it in America' manufacturing initiative to rebuild America's manufacturing base and bring and keep good value jobs here at home.    Kissell 'Buy American' bill passes House H.R. 3116, the Berry Amendment Extension Act, permanently requires the Department of Homeland Security and all of its agencies to purchase and procure textiles made entirely in America. The bill passed the House unanimously.    Hare-backed 'Buy American' bill passes House The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday by a 371 to 36 vote expanding Buy American requirements to the legislative branch. The Senate still needs to act. The Buy American Act is the country's major domestic preference, and the expansion will cover materials used in Congress. The House also passed an amendment Wednesday that expands domestic preference legislation to the Department of Homeland Security on products such as food and clothing.    7-Eleven in Talks to Acquire Casey's It looks like the American-owned Casey's convenience-store chain will either be bought by the Japanese or the Canadians. Japanese--owned 7-Eleven's offer tops the $38.50 per share offered by Canadian c-store firm Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., which has been trying to acquire Casey's in a hostile takeover attempt, the report noted.    'Made in America' Means Something Again If there were any doubts about reports that the American auto industry is on the mend, they were laid to rest today with the release of J.D. Power and Associates' 2010 Initial Quality Study (IQS). Domestic brands, as a whole, demonstrated higher initial quality than the imports for the first time in the study's 24-year history.    BAMW: The American-made Retail E-guide is here! It's been over a year since I announced the intention to build an American-made Retail E-guide, but the long-awaited pdf database is finally here.    Making Patriotic Choices To Save The Economy It's time for all Americans to remember that patriotism is about more than fighting abroad. It's also about fighting for ourselves, our neighbors and our communities here in the United States. It's time for economic patriotism.    Toyota Recalls 1.13 million 2005-08 model Toyota Corolla and Toyota Matrix Vehicles The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had opened an investigation in the vehicles in November, after it received 163 complaints, including six crashes, about engines stalling in the cars. On Aug. 18, NHTSA upgraded its investigation of the defect to an engineering analysis, after which a recall would have been imminent.    U.S. Spends, China Benefits Congress's border fence with Mexico is built with--you guessed it--Chinese steel.    Toledo Blade letter to the editor: It's easy to buy American goods The writer of the Aug. 13 "Define 'buying American'" Readers' Forum letter, and anyone else who seeks clarity on what it means to buy American, would do well to educate themselves on the matter by reading the book How Americans can Buy American: The Power of Consumer Patriotism by Roger Simmermaker.    Ford, GM Brands Top Customer Satisfaction -- Study One year after chaos engulfed the U.S. auto industry, American consumers say cars built by Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. are the tops when it comes to vehicle satisfaction. Ford's Lincoln-Mercury and GM's Buick brands took the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, respectively, in the American Customer Satisfaction Index released Tuesday. Lincoln-Mercury had an 89% customer satisfaction average while Buick was 88%. This was the first time U.S. auto makers have held the two top spots in the survey. BMW, Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz all finished together with an 86% average.    Probe begins after complaint of Kia steering wheel falling off The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said an owner of a 2010 Kia Soul reported that the steering shaft decoupled from the steering wheel as the vehicle was being driven, resulting in a complete loss of control.    Wal-Mart Quietly Raises Prices Wal-Mart Stores, which for years has touted its prowess at lowering prices, has been doing the opposite as it tries to bolster its bottom line amid stagnating sales. A JPMorgan Chase study of a Walmart Supercenter in Virginia found that the world's largest retailer has raised prices by nearly 6% on average over the past six weeks, according to the New York Post.    How to jump-start American manufacturing President Obama observed last week that the U.S. manufacturing sector has "been hit hard for as long as folks can remember." In fact, the last time so few Americans worked in manufacturing was April 1941. Since the Great Recession began in December 2007, America has lost 16 percent of its manufacturing payroll jobs. While there has been a slight uptick in manufacturing jobs in the last seven months, only 11.7 million Americans work in this sector, down from 17.3 million 10 years ago. That's barely 9 percent of total U.S. nonfarm payroll jobs. More Americans now work in the leisure and hospitality industry.    Show-Me State Shows How to Subsidize Chinese Manufacturing Plants in US Value of China-based Mamtek International's investment in new sweetener factory in Moberly, Missouri: $46 million; Value of investment in this factory by other private parties: $8 million; Subsidies given to this project by State of Missouri and town of Moberly: $55.086 million    China admits only foreigners hit by anti-trust law China acknowledged Thursday that only foreign companies have been forced to scrap or change business deals under its two-year-old anti-monopoly law but rejected complaints the measure is discriminatory.    Trade Deficit Slows Recovery The trade deficit is a huge drag on economic recovery and jobs creation. In the second quarter overall, the imports grew so much more rapidly than exports that the growing trade gap subtracted 2.8 percent from growth.    BAMW: Chinese bad news equals American status quo What happens with the Chinese economy and more specifically Chinese manufacturing in the near future will have big implications for the United States and the broader global economy.    Ford says its UAW deals are bringing back overseas jobs Competitive contracts with the United Auto Workers union are helping Ford bring back to its factories nearly 2,000 jobs that would have gone to parts companies -- some in other countries, the company said Wednesday. The automaker said the 2007 union master contract allows it to hire workers at $14 an hour, about half the hourly rate of current workers. Factory-level contracts have also changed work rules to make plants more efficient.    Some manufacturing heads back to USA Faced with rising costs, General Electric is moving production of its new energy-efficient water heater halfway around the world. The country it's leaving? China. The one it's bringing 400 jobs and a newly renovated factory? The United States. Ford Motor said Wednesday that it's bringing nearly 2,000 jobs to its U.S. plants by 2012 from suppliers, including those in Japan, Mexico and India.    Chinese firm to buy U.S. steel for Texas wind farm project Chinese makers of turbines for a West Texas wind farm agreed to buy steel from U.S. producers after lawmakers objected to foreign production of the equipment.    BAMW: Special Summer Savings In an economy often overrun with imports and cheap, Chinese knockoffs of authentic American products, it's always a special act of patriotism to Buy American while there is still American left to buy, and to help ensure that there always will be.    Pelosi: Manufacturing Strategy Reaffirms When We 'Make It In America,' We Create Jobs and Lead World Economy Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after House Democrats rolled out "Make It In America," a new strategy to create new high-skill, high-wage American manufacturing jobs and restore U.S. leadership in the global economy...    Wolf: Send work back to U.S. Tenth District Rep. Frank R. Wolf plans to introduce legislation next week to encourage American companies with manufacturing or call-center operations overseas to bring those jobs back home. Wolf's "Strategic Manufacturing & Job Repatriation Act" would align federal funding to support U.S. manufacturing growth, study a new federal tax incentive to promote job repatriation and bolster American intellectual property protections.    Make it in America (Rep. Steny Hoyer) Democrats are launching the "Make it in America" agenda: a manufacturing strategy based on the idea that when more products are made in America, more people will be able to make it in America. The "Make it in America" agenda will create incentives for investment in industry, strengthen manufacturing infrastructure and innovation, and help to level the playing field for American companies that compete globally.    BAMW: Ending foreign economic dependence Buying American is more than just about economic patriotism; it's about traditions rooted and grounded with other American values established by the Founding Fathers of our country like self-sufficiency, self-reliance, and independence.    Rahm Emanuel says the President's big theme will be "Made in America." In coming weeks, the president will expand his push to create clean-energy jobs to include more traditional industries such as automobiles and railroads. "Made in America" will become the "big theme," Mr. Emanuel said.    BAMW: Lifetime-lasting American accessories for your home The strength and success of American capitalism and entrepreneurship is often defined as that which is limited only by American imagination, innovation, and ingenuity.    BAMW: Furniture for your home starts at Florida-based Home Furniture If you've been shopping for furniture lately, you probably know just how difficult it is to find quality furniture made by fellow Americans these days.    Meridian buys Cleantech America to Expand in Solar Meridian Energy Ltd., the biggest New Zealand electricity producer, has agreed to buy solar power developer Cleantech America Inc. to expand into renewable electricity generation in the U.S. Government-owned Meridian, which operates New Zealand's largest hydroelectric dams, paid $5.4 million for Cleantech and a five megawatt photovoltaic solar facility the San Francisco- based company is building in Mendota, California.    Solar Millennium AG: US Solar Power plant projects proceed to next stage in approval procedure Two German firms -- solar thermal company Solar Millennium and plant construction firm MAN Ferrostaal -- have formed a joint venture, Solar Trust of America, LLC, to develop, construct and finance large-scale, concentrated solar power (CSP) plants in the Southwestern United States.    Obama Announces Loan Guarantees for Solar Firms Abengoa, Abound "We're going to keep competing aggressively to make sure the jobs and industries of the future are taking root right here in America," Obama said. Abound Solar, a closely held company based in Loveland, Colorado, will receive a $400 million loan guarantee to expand a solar-panel manufacturing plant in Longmont, Colorado, and to open a new plant in Tipton, Indiana. The two plants will employ about 1,500 people, according to the White House documents.    China's solar making gains in West Chinese solar industry companies have already played a major role in lowering the cost of solar panels by almost half over the last year, The New York Times reports. In an effort to boost market share, China's largest solar panel manufacturer, Suntech, is selling solar panels in the United States at below the cost of materials, assembly and shipping, Shi Zhengrong, the company's chief executive and founder, told the Times. Solar companies in the West, meanwhile, are facing a tough time competing with their Chinese counterparts, which benefit from lower operating costs and government support.    Obama announces Abound Solar growth; 3,500 jobs tied to Northern Colorado company's expansion Northern Colorado's Abound Solar will receive a $400 million federal loan guarantee that will allow the company to expand its manufacturing of thin-film solar panels and create thousands of jobs in Northern Colorado and Indiana, President Barack Obama announced this morning in his weekly broadcast address.Abound, which was created as AVA Solar at Colorado State University, "will manufacture advanced solar panels at two new plants, creating more than 2,000 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs," Obama said in his address."A Colorado plant is already under way, and an Indiana plant will be built in what's now an empty Chrysler factory. When fully operational, these plants will produce millions of state-of-the-art solar panels each year," Obama said in the address.    China & Taiwan Market Share for Solar Cells: impact on U.S. As published in this template source article, amid the aggressive ramping up of solar production in China and Taiwan, who collectively own approximately 50 percent of the market share, the U.S. may simply be: exchanging its dependence on foreign oil- for foreign renewable energy products, losing more high-paying, high-tech jobs and reducing its gross domestic product growth, as it shifts towards clean energy sources.    Toyota admits 270,000 cars have faulty engines worldwide Toyota has announced that it is currently preparing to recall a total of 270,000 Toyota Crown and Lexus LS, GS and IS models worldwide. As it turns out, some of the company's 4.6-liter V8 and 3.5-liter V6 engines were built using faulty valve springs that may cause the car to stall while driving. Around 180,000 of the faulty powerplants were sold outside of Japan.    Toyota recalls Lexus HS 250h hybrid, halts sales After government tests show the hybrid could leak fuel in a rear-end collision, Toyota stops all sales and recalls 17,000 sedans, including 4,000 at dealerships.    BAMW: 'Protectionist' is not an insult Dartmouth economics professor Douglas Irwin joined the never-ending, undeserved assault on the Smoot-Hawley tariff in his June 18 Wall Street Journal opinion column, titled How 'Protectionist' Became An Insult.    Ford takes top spot for non-luxury brands in J.D. Power's annual quality report. Ford Motor Co. had the highest-quality cars and trucks of all non-luxury producers in J.D. Power & Associates' 2010 Initial Quality Study. Last year, Toyota and Ford tied with 101 problems per 100 vehicles each. As Ford moved up, Toyota plummeted. In 2010, the automaker had an average of 117 problems per 100 vehicles.    China-Invested Noble Buys Stake in U.S. Uranium Supplier USEC Noble Group, in which China's sovereign wealth fund is a shareholder, bought a 5.1 percent stake in USEC Inc., the only American-owned provider of enriched uranium for use in civilian nuclear reactors, the New York Times reported, citing a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission.    BAMW: American-made snack cup is key to happy parenting If you're a busy parent with small children, think of the time you could save (and stress you could avoid) by not having to chase down every last cracker that falls underneath or between each seat or cushion in the car or at home.    US, Canada and Free Trade In the wake of "Buy American", Canadian municipalities initially voted to retaliate. After months of tense negotiations, a bilateral deal was finally reached earlier this year, which did exempt Canadian iron, steel and manufactured products until September, 2011. But the trend toward protectionism in the U.S. appears to be picking up steam.    Rahall: "Buy American" Congressional Group Launched to Shut Flood Gates on Tidal Wave of Tax Dollars Overseas "In 2007, the Defense Department alone allowed over 14,000 contracts for goods and services to go to foreign companies," said Rahall. "That's $5.7 Billion American tax dollars we waved good bye to. We've got to shut the flood gates on the tidal wave of taxpayer's dollars flowing overseas, and shore up our contracts here for goods and services bought by the federal government and provided by American workers.    Murphy helps 'Buy American' defense amendments pass "My focus is simple. By spending more of our existing authorized defense dollars here in America, we can help rebuild our domestic industrial economy without spending any additional federal money." In 2008, the Bush Administration allowed 65,000 waivers to the nation's Buy American laws -- a 450 percent increase over the previous year. Murphy said as a result, millions of American tax dollars were shipped overseas, affecting thousands of manufacturing jobs in the U.S.    Schauer slams Chinese-made Census Bureau swag While looking over a key chain and baseball cap promoting the 2010 census, he was stunned when he read "Made in China." "What irony," he says. "Here is the census, something to try to help us get our fair share of federal dollars, and the products are helping create jobs in China. It's an outrage that our tax dollars are going to create jobs in China, but China isn't letting U.S. businesses have access to government contracts."    BAMW: American-made electrical products for the home one of the most difficult areas to buy American has always been the electrical/electronics category. A typical rule is that if you have to plug it in, it's going to be difficult to find American made.    Is Any Job Better Than No Job? Roger Simmermaker, an electronics technician for a large defense contractor and the vice president of his local machinists union, is the author of "How ...    BAMW: Toy companies seeing the benefit of 'Made in USA' Anecdotal evidence from attendees of the annual toy fair sponsored by the Toy Industry Association, the world's largest and most attended toy show, indicates toy companies are starting to get the message about the advantages of producing in America rather than offshore; and the steady stream of Chinese toy recalls indicates toy consumers may be getting the same message.    Americans should buy products made in U.S. Can you blame G.E., IBM. Nike, Eureka Williams and others for moving operations out of the country? The U.S. government is to blame. But for political and financial reasons they will not go against big business.    Fighting for 'made in the USA' The obstacles here are rooted in the sad history of manufacturing's decline in the United States: Despite the promise of Chiang's batteries, many on Wall Street and in Silicon Valley were incredulous when he and other leaders at A123 asked for capital to build factories in America -- Asia, yes, but Michigan, why would you want to?    American made ... Chinese owned: Full version Chinese firms last year acquired or announced they were starting more than 50 U.S. companies. So far there's little sign of anti-Chinese sentiment among South Carolinians, who watched their state lose its cotton-based textile-manufacturing industry to low-cost countries like China.    BAMW: A better Buy American strategy If you have ever been frustrated trying to find American-made clothing in some of America's big department stores or retail chains, you have felt the same frustration thousands of other Americans have felt who want to find and buy American apparel, but aren't sure how to do it.    High-Tech U.S. Exporters Run Into Problems With Foreign Shipping Firms U.S. companies are having difficulty finding shipping containers in the parts of the country where U.S. exports originate. These containers are owned by the shipping companies that do not want them to be transported thousands of miles into the heartland of the United States to be filled with America's bulk exports.    Honda Recalls 167000 Acura Cars over Fire Hazard Honda Motor Co. is recalling about 167,000 Acura TSX cars to fix power steering hoses that could deteriorate and cause a fire under the hood.    House OKs new rule for clothing allowance A proposal that could someday force service members to spend their annual clothing allowance only on American-made goods passed the House on Wednesday as part of a larger acquisition reform package.    Murphy works to strengthen 'Buy American' laws U.S. Representative Chris Murphy (D-CT) has introduced legislation in Congress, the 21st Century Buy American Act, to require that American taxpayer dollars be spent to buy products from American manufacturers.    Congressman Murphy Helps Establish Caucus to Improve Buy America Provisions WEB FIRST "Even if a product is five or 10 percent less costly in a foreign market, the United States loses in the end because that cost saving is more than offset by the loss of potential jobs in our economy," Mr. Murphy said.    New Movement by Murphy Promotes Buying American "There's nothing protectionist about keeping U.S. taxpayer money in the U.S.," Mr. Murphy said, noting that the Buy American provisions were established 75 years ago.    Murphy Announces New Bipartisan Congressional Group to Promote Buy American Effort to Grow Jobs Congressman Chris Murphy's (CT-5) effort to fix the country's "Buy American" laws and keep jobs here at home recently took another step as he and Republican Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) founded the Congressional Buy American Caucus. The two representatives will serve as co-chairs of the Caucus, which aims to strengthen laws that require the federal government to make buying American-made products a priority.    Not All Jobs Are Created Equal: Why Wall Street's Gain Has Been America's Loss According to Thomas Philippon, professor at NYU's Stern School of Business, in 1947, the financial industry made up 2.5 percent of America's GDP. By 1970, it had grown to 4 percent. By 2006, just before the meltdown, it was 8.3 percent. Just before the financial crisis hit, over 40 percent of the profits of the entire U.S. corporate sector went to the financial industry.    GM to Invest $890 Million in Five Plants to Produce New Engines GM's investment in the plants (four in the U.S. and one in Canada) will add or preserve 1,600 jobs and boost production of more efficient engines with all- aluminum blocks that are lighter and use less fuel, the Detroit- based company said today.    Green Economy Is Not Yet Made in U.S.A. Rather than "made in America," much of the green manufacturing to date is "assembled in America" from parts made overseas. "The act says that if you assemble in the United States, then you comply," said Tom Dyer, vice president for marketing and government policy for Kyocera Solar, a Japanese company that will assemble solar panels in San Diego from imported Japanese solar cells. "That is what we are doing, and that is what a lot of people are doing."    Toyota issues another recall: Sequoias need electronics fix Toyota said that vehicles without the upgrade could experience problems with the stability control system briefly at speeds of less than 10 mph as the Sequoia accelerates from a stop. This could prevent the vehicle from accelerating as fast as the driver expects.    BAMW: An American-made Mother's Day One of the reasons we celebrate Mother's Day is to celebrate her, compliment her, and make her comfortable as a way of showing your appreciation for who she is and all the selfless things she does year-round.    'Toxic sofa' customers to get up to $30 million Hundreds burned by China-made furniture: 'It's like I was on fire'    BAMW: New Balance and the Buy American Caucus New Balance, the only maker of running shoes and tennis shoes that actually still makes them in America, says it is abiding by the "made in USA" standard, but the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that wrote the standard, isn't so sure.    AP-GfK Poll: Americans say US cars top Asian autos An Associated Press-GfK Poll shows that more Americans now say U.S.-made automobiles are better than cars made by Asian countries.    Shuler: Buy American Caucus propels US jobs Rep. Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, announced Thursday that he has become a member of the newly created Buy American Caucus.    Brown wants climate bill to regulate imports Sen. Sherrod Brown warned yesterday that a global-warming measure would collapse unless it shielded U.S. manufacturers from imports from countries that do not curb their emissions of greenhouse gases.    New Balance sidesteps FTC ad rules When is a product "Made in America"? For Boston-based shoemaker New Balance, the answer seems to be, "When we say it is."    Jobs, NAFTA are hot topics in Pennsylvania ad wars Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.), who is challenging Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) in the Democratic Senate primary, cited Specter's support for the North American Free Trade Agreement in his pushback against the senator's three new TV ads.    Toyota recalls 600,000 Sienna minivans Another Toyota recall. What's new? This time it's over rusting spare tire holders.    Ford battery pack plant to bring new jobs to Ypsilanti Twp. Ford will build battery packs for its new generation of electrified vehicles at its Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti Township -- part of a $450 million investment that will bring new jobs to the area and protect hundreds of others. The Dearborn automaker also announced plans to build a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric version of the Ford Focus compact at its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne. Together, these moves are expected to create 1,000 new jobs in the state by 2012.    Toyota Lexus SUV 'Safety Risk,' Consumer Reports Says The 2010 GX 460 received the designation and 'don't buy' recommendation because of handling in emergency driving tests.    First of 117 S. Korean railcars being built in S. Phila. for SEPTA With a total price tag of $274 million, each SEPTA car costs nearly $2.3 million. But Doug S. Dan, senior vice president of sales and marketing, said Hyundai Rotem was losing money on the deal.    Trump on Rising Debt owned by the Chinese It's ridiculous. And, you know, again, the problem with our country is, we don't manufacture anything anymore, I mean, very little. China is doing all -- I just bid furniture out on a major project I'm doing, and I have six bids. Every bit of furniture is being made from China.    Maine Paper Workers Call for End to "Unfair" Trade Subsidies The International Trade Commission is soon expected to issue a final ruling on an unfair trade practices complaint brought by several U.S. paper manufacturers against China and Indonesia. Last month, the U.S. Commerce Department found that Chinese and Indonesian paper exporters had received unfair trade subsidies which undercut the U.S. market.    N.H. jobs leaving for China A recent study shows New Hampshire lost a higher percentage of jobs to China in the last decade than any other state, especially in the high-tech industry.    BAMW: Double American exports? Not likely. Poor free-trade America. We just can't seem to achieve a trade balance, let alone a trade surplus. The last time we ran a trade surplus was in 1975 when President Gerald Ford was in the White House.    BAMW: The "All Three Editions" special is back There seems to be evidence the economy is turning around these days, even though the jobless rate is still high and the U.S. is still drowning in twin deficits of budget and trade.    Should You Buy American Now? How things change. Last year at this time the news was filled with stories of the demise of the American auto industry. Now the story is runaway Toyotas, while domestic automakers reap awards and revenue. So, now that the shoe is on the other foot, should you buy an American car now? Here are five reasons why you should.    N.C.-made: Retailer: Little extra is worth it An outlet retail store owner, David Shahan already knew the economy was tanking and that tens of thousands of North Carolina jobs had washed away in trade-deficit avalanche caused in part by NAFTA and other similar agreements. Rather than lamenting change while doing business with cheaper overseas suppliers, he started placing orders with North Carolina companies.    Opinion: The latest Toyota victim: free speech As the machinery at New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. in Fremont - NUMMI to us Californians - goes silent today in the shutdown ordered by Toyota, so must the 4,700 autoworkers who have worked there every day. The gag rule bullied through by Toyota forbids NUMMI workers and their union from publicly questioning the wisdom of the company's action in shutting down the factory or even talking about the hardships it imposed on thousands of workers, families, and their communities.    WTO ruling a win for U.S., Boeing A final report issued by a panel of the World Trade Organization found that four European governments illegally provided Airbus with below-market-rate financing to develop jetliners, giving it an unfair advantage over Chicago-based Boeing, say people familiar with the confidential report.    Actor Danny Glover takes a supporting role in effort to save Hugo Boss plant Hugo Boss's German parent company has said the Brooklyn factory, its only U.S. manufacturing facility, is making money. But the company said it has excess capacity at its European manufacturing sites, where the work now done here will go.    BAMW: Treat yourself to American treats this Easter With all the different options for American consumers who want satisfy their sweet tooth this Easter, it can be confusing to know just how to buy American-made candy from American-owned companies so we can keep profits and jobs in America.    Made in American store: USA made, and proud of it One guy said, 'I'll buy from you no matter what your prices are.'    How have recent recalls from Toyota and Honda impacted residual values, and how long will that impact last? ALG's recent Perceived Quality Score Report shows that Toyota has fallen from being No. 1 to No. 6 amongst the mainstream OEMs and Lexus No. 1 to No. 3 in the luxury OEMs.    BAMW: Rx4Nails by and for American women As hard as I try to write articles that give both American men and American women more alternatives, choices, and opportunities to buy American, sometimes it's good to focus on solely on one gender or the other. So ladies, this one's for you.    Toyota to hand off pension bill to U.S. Toyota is leaving a $131-million pension shortfall to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. as it closes the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. plant in Fremont, California. Harley Shaiken, a University of California Berkeley professor and labor relations expert, said the pension shortfall adds to Toyota's public relations challenges. "For the world's most profitable automaker to walk away from a pension covering people who, in some cases, worked for more than a quarter of a century doesn't look good," Shaiken said. "Especially in the wake of Toyota's recent recalls."    Toyota workers raised safety concerns with bosses in 2006 memo From 2000 to 2005, their memo pointed out, Toyota had recalled more than 5 million cars -- 36% of all sold vehicles, a rate higher than other companies.    Orange County prosecutor sues Toyota over defects The Orange County district attorney has filed a lawsuit against Toyota Motor Corp., accusing the automaker of knowingly selling hundreds of thousands of vehicles with acceleration defects. At least 89 class-action lawsuits have been filed against the Japanese automaker, which could cost the company $3 billion or more.    US arms buyer rejects protectionism charge The top U.S. arms buyer said no protectionism was involved in the potential $50 billion refueling-aircraft competition that Europe's EADS quit this week along with Northrop Grumman Corp. If EADS could not meet the current deadlines, the Pentagon should award the contract to Boeing, Senators Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts and Representative Todd Tiahrt, all Republicans, said in a joint statement.    Hoffa Applauds Move to Repeal NAFTA Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa praised a bipartisan bill in the House of Representatives to repeal the North American Free Trade Agreement. "We were sold a bill of goods about NAFTA," Hoffa said. "We were told it would create export jobs because they were dying to buy our refrigerators, they were dying to buy our cars. Instead we lost nearly 600,000 manufacturing jobs. Our $1.7 billion trade surplus with Mexico in 1993 turned into a $64.7 billion deficit in 2008."    Toyota to expand recall of Tundra pickups for rust Toyota says it will expand a recall announced last year to fix Tundra pickup trucks with frames that could rust.    Runaway Prius Hybrid Could Prompt Toyota Recall Sikes, 61, was driving on a busy freeway outside San Diego on Monday when he noticed that his car accelerated. He was surprised, and then dialed 911 as he struggled to lift the gas pedal. The California Highway Patrol said the terrified motorist was helpless as the car raced along the road at speeds of more than 90 mph.    Another runaway Prius injures NY woman Police in Harrison, NY, a suburb of New York City, say the woman was pulling out off her driveway Tuesday when the Hybrid "shot across the street" and hit a rock wall.    BAMW: American-made office furniture for American businesses and consumers If you have a home office like me, work for a company or corporation that uses office furniture, or have friends or business associates who do, you owe it to yourself to check out the extensive line of high-quality, American-made products available at VersaTables.    Will stimulus money for US 27 project make it out of country? Price Contracting, which has offices in Tampa, was awarded the job, but Soares da Costa is a multi-billion dollar, international contractor that owns Prince Contracting. According the company's website, SDC was founded in 1918 in Porto, Portugal. The company has since gone public, but 71 percent of the stock is owned by a wealthy Portuguese businessman named Manuel Roseta Fino.    Toyota's fix is a bust, owners claim Some Toyota owners have begun complaining that their vehicles suddenly accelerated even after dealerships made repairs to fix the problem, according to reports filed with federal safety regulators.    GM blames recall of 1.3m cars on supplier linked to Toyota General Motors has blamed a supplier partly owned by Toyota for a faulty car part that led to the recall of 1.3m Chevrolet and Pontiac cars in North America. Bob Lutz, GM's vice-chairman, yesterday told the BBC in Geneva that the supplier - separately identified as JTEKT, a joint venture between Toyoda Machine Works and Koyo Seiko - had not met "all requirements for reliability and durability."    Toyota Maintains Recall Not Linked to Electronic Systems Toyota officials continued to insist that complaints regarding unintended acceleration in their cars has nothing to do with the vehicle's electronic systems. "I want to be absolutely clear," Takeshi Uchiyamada, an executive vice president for Toyota, testified before a Senate committee, the third congressional hearing on the automaker's problems. "As a result of our extensive testing, we do not believe sudden unintended acceleration because of a defect in our ETCS (Engine Throttle Control System) has ever happened."    Ex-Toyota exec warned of safety, quality problems in '06 Jim Press, the former president of Toyota Motor North America, warned fellow executives of declining safety and quality issues in 2006, documents presented before a Senate committee hearing today show.    Fears over potential Toyota problems surfaced in 2006, US Senate told "Although we rigorously defend our products through good negotiation and analysis, we have a less defensible product," the document, prepared by Chris Tinto, then Toyota's Vice President for Technical and Regulatory Affairs, states.    Edmunds.com Announces Million Dollar Prize for Unintended Acceleration Research Hearings related to the Toyota recall are now over, but they haven't added much clarity about the cause of unintended acceleration. Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, announced today that its company representatives are developing a plan to award one million dollars to researchers who address yet unanswered questions about unintended acceleration.    Nissan to Recall 540, 000 Vehicles Globally Nissan Motor Co, Japan's third-biggest car maker, said it will recall about 540,000 vehicles worldwide due to potential defects in brake pedal pins and fuel-gauge components, mostly in the United States. Nissan also announced plans to recall 419,000 cars in the U.S. and 53,000 in other regions for a separate problem with the fuel gauge, which can at higher mileage levels fail to accurately indicate how much fuel is left in the tank.    Recalled Toyota Crashes Into Stone Mountain, Georgia Home "I thought I was in a movie. She was just coming out of the driveway and she was just about to stop to pick us up but the car just took off," said Therese Mitchell, a friend of the driver. The driver is shaken up, but OK. The air bag didn't go off, and that's something the driver is going to look into.    BAMW: Toyota unable to sweep troubles under the floor mat Toyota should be toast by now. In fact, the only difference between 'Toyota' and 'toast' should be that the word 'toast' has the letter 's' in it and Toyota doesn't.    House panel: Toyota misled the public, dismissed electronic defects "Toyota resisted the possibility that electronic defects could cause safety concerns, relied on a flawed engineering report and made misleading public statements," the committee said in a letter to Toyota Motor Sales USA president Jim Lentz.    Toyota recalls may help free jailed Camry owner Koua Fong Lee, 32, claimed his accelerator got stuck in June 2006 when his 1996 Camry accelerated to more than 70 miles per hour and crashed into another car, killing three family members. The jury did not believe Lee's story, however, and sentenced Lee to eight years in prison.    'Buy American' Provision Boom or Bust? Despite criticism that the Buy American provisions in the federal government's stimulus plan have damaged relations with U.S. trading partners, a U.S. trade group credits the measure with bringing streetcar manufacturing to Oregon.    Nuclear Builders Want Revival of U.S. Manufacturing Capability Executives from utilities planning new nuclear units were asked how much of their projects would be sourced in the U.S. Said Mike Wallace, chairman of Unistar, which is planning Calvert Cliffs-3, "How much can we get?" They pointed out that the first generation of nuclear plants was sourced heavily in the U.S., but as new construction waned, much of that capacity was shut down. Now, the largest components for new plants must be sourced overseas.    U.S. Court upholds country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law "Canada and Mexico should immediately drop their complaints at the WTO before they further damage the integrity and reputation of their respective cattle industries," R-CALF USA COOL Committee Chair Mike Schultz concluded. "It is indefensible for these foreign countries''cattle producers to assert that U.S. consumers do not deserve to know the true origins of the beef that they feed their families."    Toyota Tacoma Recall Announced Toyota has announced yet another recall. The automaker says it's recalling about 8,000 Tacoma pickup trucks from the 2010 model year. The problem is with the front propeller shaft that could cause the vehicle to lose control.    Toyota Recall: Toyota Reportedly Hid Acceleration Problem From U.S. Officials For 1 Year Toyota waited until Jan. 19 to disclose to U.S. safety officials that millions of its vehicles could accelerate on their own -- a problem they had known for one year, the Wall Street Journal disclosed today.    Brazil to Sanction U.S. on Goods, Intellectual Rights As much as $4 billion in annual U.S. payments to cotton farmers violate global trade rules by encouraging excess production and driving down world prices, the WTO found in 2004. The U.S., the world's largest exporter of the fiber, hasn't done enough to scrap aid to its cotton producers, the WTO found in 2008.    Yes, we lied, says Japanese plane seat-maker In another blow to corporate Japan's image of reliability, Koito Industries has admitted to fabricating safety data for seats in more than 1,000 aircraft used by 32 carriers. Fake data was used for more than 150,000 seats used in the Boeing and Airbus aircraft of customers including Air Canada, KLM, Scandinavian Airlines and Singapore Airlines.    Japanese-based Koito Industries firm ordered to fix airline seats Toyota owns 20 percent of the shares of Koito Industries' parent company. The aircraft seat problem follows troubles with Toyota automobiles that have tarnished the company's image.    Koito admits seat fraud Koito has admitted fabricating test results for seat strength and fire resistance. The parent company, Koito Manufacturing, reportedly makes 50 per cent of its revenue supplying products to Toyota.    US steel tubular producers unite against alleged Chinese evasion of import duties Chinese companies are labeling shipments to make them seem as though they are coming from Malaysia, Vietnam or other countries that do not face duties, said Roger Schagrin, a lawyer for the Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports (CPTI). It has also been claimed that Chinese products are entering the country in containers categorized as other products.    Pipe, tube makers: Chinese companies perpetuating fraud Last month, Wheatland Tube and V&M Star Steel in Youngstown were among the producers that successfully petitioned the U.S. government for duties on oil-country tubular goods, which is pipe used for oil and natural-gas exploration.    Toyota Used Ex-Regulators to Help Kill Probes Toyota hired ex-government regulators to kill at least four investigations into problems with its cars in the U.S. That's the conclusion of an investigation by Bloomberg. The news service reports that, "Christopher Tinto, vice president of regulatory affairs in Toyota's Washington office, and Christopher Santucci, who works for Tinto, helped persuade the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to end probes including those of 2002-2003 Toyota Camrys and Solaras, court documents show. Both men joined Toyota directly from NHTSA, Tinto in 1994 and Santucci in 2003."    Safety Agency Scrutinized as Toyota Recall Grows In November, top auto safety officials made an unusual request of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. After reviewing complaints about Toyota vehicles, the regulators said they believed the automaker was stalling their inquiries and wanted to go to Japan to stress just how serious their concerns had become. Executives at Toyota "were dragging things out, and we'd had it," a senior American transportation official said in recounting new details of the talks. "We were getting excuses that didn't make sense anymore."    Honda expands recall to over 900,000 vehicles worldwide "The driver's airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure, which may cause the airbag inflator casing to rupture, resulting in metal fragments passing through the airbag cushion material and possibly causing injury or fatality to vehicle occupants," Honda said.    Survey: Buyers Shy Away From Toyota The Kelley Blue Book survey found that 27 percent of potential car buyers who were considering a Toyota prior to the recall are no longer looking to buy a Toyota. Similar sized declines were seen for Toyota's Scion and Lexus brands. Of those that defected from Toyota, the Blue Book study found that 49 percent said they are not sure they will consider buying from the automaker again.    Consumers Are Shockingly Uninterested In Buying A Toyota Right Now Of those competing brands offering specific incentives to Toyota owners/shoppers, Ford is garnering the most consumer attention, with 16 percent of car shoppers saying they were not considering a Ford prior to the Toyota recall but now are (due to Ford's Toyota-specific incentives). Chevrolet is in second place with eight percent saying they were not considering a Chevy prior to the recall news, but now are (due to Chevy's Toyota- specific incentives).    BAMW: An American-made Valentine's Day Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Here are some gift ideas that can still claim the United States of America as the source.    Toyota announces global recall of more than 400,000 Prius, other hybrid cars The recall will fix a software glitch in the brakes of the Prius and three other hybrid models. It has caused brief and sometimes frightening delays in perceived braking capacity on icy or bumpy roads.    Toyota Dealers Pull Ads on ABC for 'Excessive Stories' on Recalls Brian Ross, chief investigative correspondent for ABC News, says he's undaunted that 173 Southeastern Toyota dealers have pulled their ads from ABC-affiliated stations in response to his persistent reporting on the company's sudden unintended acceleration problems.    State Farm alerted NHTSA to Toyota woes The nation's largest auto insurer said Tuesday it alerted federal safety regulators in late 2007 about a rise in reports of unexpected acceleration in Toyota vehicles, the latest warning sign to emerge about the massive recall.    Toyota recalls may not solve problem, experts say According to Michael Pecht, who is an expert in failure analysis and has written a book on sudden acceleration in automobiles, complicated electronics -- not a mechanical issue with the gas pedal -- lie at the heart of Toyota's problems. And three other independent safety analysts contacted by CNN also conclude that neither floor mats nor stuck gas pedals are an overwhelming issue. "If they announce that electronics is a problem, they are probably going to be in a lot of trouble, because nobody's going to drive the car. So at this stage, they don't want to announce there is any electronic problem."    Official: State Farm warned NHTSA on Toyota in '07 Private insurer State Farm informed a U.S. government regulator of a worrying trend of vehicle-caused accidents involving Toyota Motor Corp as far back as late 2007, an official at the company said.    THE INFLUENCE GAME: Toyota's powerful DC friends Toyota's PAC would have difficulty distinguishing itself from Toyota's Japanese management to the degree needed to be legal under U.S. campaign finance laws. That makes Toyota an unwitting example of an issue that has become a hot topic in Washington in recent days: foreign companies with U.S. subsidiaries and their involvement in U.S. elections.    EU seeks sanctions against U.S. The European Union is asking the World Trade Organization to approve US$311 million in sanctions on U.S. goods in retaliation for American anti-dumping calculations the trade body says break global rules.    China to Penalize U.S. Chicken Imports China, the largest market for U.S. chicken exports, plans to impose anti-dumping tariffs of up to 105.4 percent on U.S. broiler chicken imports, starting Feb. 13, that country's Ministry of Commerce said Friday. In a statement on its Web site, the ministry said the poultry products had been dumped at unfair prices onto the China market, causing "substantial damage" to the domestic chicken industry.    Feingold calls for Buy American provision in jobs bill Feingold is also the author of the Buy American Improvement Act. This legislation would help close loopholes in the 1933 Buy American Act that have allowed federal agencies to circumvent Buy American requirements.    Lexus hybrid brakes under scrutiny in Toyota investigation Toyota Motor Corp.'s investigation into brake problems with its Prius hybrid bled over to the Prius' upscale cousin, the Lexus HS 250h hybrid, on Thursday.    Toyota's Recall Antics Spread Virally You have to see this John Stewart video on Comedy Central -- he's pretty brutal on Toyota.    BAMW: Toyota finally takes their turn in the barrel Orlando Sentinel Automotive Editor Steven Cole Smith once told me of a friend he was consoling who worked in public relations at Ford when the automaker was going through a crisis.    Toyota sales off 16% after recalls Honda sales also down 5%. So who gained ground last month at Toyota's expense? Number one automaker GM sales rose 14% (21% market share), and Ford reclaimed status as the nation's number two automaker (16.7% market share) by securing a sales gain of 25%.    Apple's Wozniak: Toyota may have software trouble Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak suggested Tuesday in media interviews that Toyota's troubles with a defective accelerator pedal may have to do with software, after his Prius sped up while in cruise-control. "Since my foot never touches the pedal," Wozniak told ABC News, the problem "cannot be a sticky accelerator pedal.... There might be some bad software in there."    Venezuela's Chavez to Automakers: Do what I say or 'pack up and leave.' Most of Chavez's ire was directed at Toyota, but all foreign automakers were threatened. GM currently leads the Venezuelan market. "Companies who come here to set up must be ready to transfer technology to us," Chavez said. "If they don't want to, they should go away. I invite them to pack up their belongings and leave."    BAMW: China replaces lead with cadmium in children's jewelry Just when you thought the turmoil with unsafe toys from China was terminated and you thought your children could safely play with any toy imported from anywhere, we learn that Chinese producers have replaced lead with hazardous levels of cadmium.    Industry Group Says 'Buy America' Provisions Are Necessary for U.S. Jobs Buy America provisions ensure that U.S. tax dollars are directed to purchase American-made manufactured goods to the extent permitted under international trade obligations. A strong majority of Americans (84%, according to a 2009 poll) support requirements for American-made materials in all federally funded infrastructure investment.    Consumer Reports Pulls Some Toyota Recommendations Consumer Reports, an influential publication for car buyers, has temporarily suspended its "recommended" status for eight recalled Toyota models because of faulty gas pedal systems, dealing another blow to the Japanese automaker's reputation in the United States.    Toyota Speed-Up Suits Say Problem Goes Deeper Than Gas Pedal Plaintiffs' lawyers claim that Toyota knew of the sudden acceleration problem for years before the November recall. "First they blamed it on the driver, then it was the floor mats, then the accelerator pedal, and now they're shutting down the plants," Edgar Heiskell, one of the attorneys in the West Virginia case, said yesterday in a phone interview. "Toyota's position has changed at least three times."    Doubt cast on Toyota's decision to blame sudden acceleration on gas pedal defect Toyota Motor Corp.'s decision to blame its widening sudden-acceleration problem on a gas pedal defect came under attack Friday, with the pedal manufacturer flatly denying that its products were at fault. "The way the sudden-acceleration problems are occurring in reported incidents doesn't comport with how this sticky pedal is described," said Sean Kane, president of Safety Research & Strategies, a Rehoboth, Mass., auto safety consulting firm. "We know this recall is a red herring."    Congressional investigators probe Toyota's runaway cars Officials with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have been wrangling for at least five years with the automaker over complaints that cars were accelerating without cause, according to the Center for Auto Safety.    Honda recalls 646,000 cars for fire hazard Fresh on the heels of Toyota temporarily halting sales of eight models over concerns about accelerator pedals sticking, Honda announced Friday a voluntary recall of 646,000 cars worldwide to examine window switches that can melt or catch fire when exposed to an extreme amount of liquid.    Traficant keen on returning to political life "I'm gonna run," Traficant said. "I don't know where I'm going to run. I don't know what I'm going to run as. But I'm running for, not against. And I'm gonna ask 'em to surrender nice. If they don't, then I'm gonna take 'em to the mat and try to beat the hell out of 'em."    Toyota concedes quality took back seat to 'speedy moves' to global growth Last week, Toyota recalled 2.3 million vehicles (the eight models it stopped making on Tuesday) and late last year it recalled as many as 4.3 million vehicles. Some of the recalls were to fix gas pedals, and some were to replace floor mats that could jam the pedals.    Camry red flag raised in 2004 As early as 2004, authorities investigated reports of unintended acceleration in Toyota's best-selling model, the Camry.    Ford Posts First Annual Profit Since 2005 The company will have to shrink its total debt which stood at $36.8 billion at the end of the year, almost twice the size of General Motors which, along with Chrysler, filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year.    Glassmaking Thrives Offshore, but Is Declining in U.S. The majestic steel beams of a soaring office tower beginning to rise from the ruins of the World Trade Center are a tribute to American resilience, but also a marker in the decline of yet another industry. Not an inch of imported glass went into the two lost towers, built 40 years ago. The lower floors of the new one will soon be sheathed in Chinese glass.    Fallout grows in Toyota sales halt Toyota took the extraordinary step of halting the sale of the vehicles late Tuesday over issues of "sticky acceleration pedals" because it hasn't yet found a fix. Those eight models accounted for nearly 60 percent of its U.S. sales last year. Toyota has been looking at the issue of sticky pedals since 2007. Avis-Budget Group said it is removing about 20,000 recalled Toyota vehicles from its fleet.    'Made in USA': Simple in theory, costly in practice A new state law prohibits cities, counties, the state and other "public employers" from buying uniforms or safety equipment made outside the United States.    Toyota Suspends Sales of 8 Models after Accelerator Pedals Keep Sticking Toyota has suspended sales of eight of its most popular vehicle models while the motor company investigates sticking accelerator pedals, following reports by ABC News' Brian Ross that examined incidents of random acceleration, some of which resulted in fatalities.    The Glass Industry, Domestic and Foreign The American glass industry is not dead, but unfortunately Carlisle PPG, a company in the state of Pennsylvania, bid for and lost the contract for the World Trade Center site. The effect of Chinese subsidies and market manipulation can't be underestimated.    America Absolutely Needs a National Manufacturing Policy, Urges Senator Sherrod Brown Trade should be practiced in accordance with our national interest, not according to some economic textbook that has been out of print for 20 years.    Fair Trade With China Means Jobs In Lorain America's steel industry is one of the most competitive industries in the world, having tripled productivity since the 1980s, increased its energy efficiency by about one-third since 1990 and reduced air and water emissions by 90 percent.    U.S pork rind makers angry over imports "How essential is it that we start importing pork rinds from countries that have really bad diseases?" said Dave Griswold, a veterinarian at the Bureau of Animal Health in Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture.    U.S. fish importer admits tariff evasion Sterling Seafood Corp. Chief Executive Officer Thomas George admitted that from 2004 to 2006 he evaded an anti-dumping tariff imposed on imported Vietnamese catfish by having it labeled as grouper, which was not subject to the special duties, avoiding more than $60 million in anti-dumping tariffs.    BAMW: American assets continue to fall into Chinese hands As the U.S. economy seeks to secure some sense of stability, more American assets are falling into the eager, acquisitive hands of Chinese-controlled companies.    Chinese unchecked Chinese manufacturers of children's jewelry, recently forced to stop using lead in their wares, are now substituting cadmium. Cadmium, a carcinogen known to hinder brain development in the very young, is just as dangerous to children as lead, but the United States has never banned its specific use in jewelry.    AP Enterprise: US buyers must beware in China Paul Midler, author of the new book "Poorly Made in China" and who worked for an American company that was making shampoo and skin lotion at a Chinese factory, describes in his book how a Chinese factory was caught changing the formula for products without consulting the U.S. company. Its Chinese partner also unilaterally decided to use thinner plastic bottles to save money.    Building Blocks of MLK Jr. Memorial Made in China Since made-in-China American flags have been used in the memorial services of those that have paid the ultimate price in Iraq and Afghanistan, perhaps this is not such a surprise.    BAMW: Foreign investment can turn the American economy Chinese If you've ever bought seemingly innocent consumer products like a Frisbee or a Hula-Hoop, typical food products for your family like Pilgrim's Pride poultry, or an American-made Haier refrigerator, you're a supporting participant in foreign investment in the American economy.    Buy American: "Anti-China Backlash" Coming, Gerald Celente Says In part because of anti-China sentiment, Celente says the "buy local" movement is going to pick up steam in the coming years - and not just in the U.S. "We're going to start seeing trade barriers go up more and more and more," he says. "It's not isolationism but survivalism. Unlike most mainstream economists, Celente does not believe trade barriers are necessarily bad for the global economy, saying there really isn't free trade today but the "dumping of products using cheap labor."    Valley pipe producers expect more penalties on imports The U.S. International Trade Commission last week approved duties of about 13 percent on Chinese imports of oil-country tubular goods, which is pipe used for oil and natural gas exploration. The next case alleges that China dumped pipe, which means selling it for less than the cost of production. A final ruling is expected in April, but a preliminary ruling has called for duties of 96 percent on most Chinese producers, said Roger Lindgren, V&M president.    Next Chevrolet Aveo will be bigger and made in Michigan General Motors is about to turn your world on its head. The new Chevrolet Aveo RS isn't going to be bland, tiny and foreign made. The move to make the car in the USA starting in 2011 will restore 1,200 auto worker jobs and score points for GM in Congress, where it counts.    New ad campaign touts 'made in China' "Made in China, made with the world" is the theme of an ad campaign masterminded by DDB Guoan, the Chinese branch of Manhattan-based agency DDB.    America's sputtering economic engine Now that we have laid down the law to our industrial trading partners, we must put tariffs on countries that employ slave labor and pay wages of $1 to $2 an hour. How can American workers compete with slave labor countries without gradually losing jobs year after year?    Absence of U.S. cars from Japanese 'clunker' program irks lawmaker The $3 billion U.S. program ran over the summer and was open to all fuel-efficient cars, no matter where they were made. Now the trouble is, as U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton (D-Ohio) sees it, the Japanese government has not returned the favor. Under that country's own incentive program, not a single car from the Detroit Three is eligible.    Scott's Liquid Gold thanks America for their success (video) An American-owned company with an All-American workforce is proud to manufacture their quality products in America.    Ansonia Copper seeks support of Buy American legislation The last American manufacturer of copper-nickel tubing for U.S. ships and submarines is warning a German competitor is threatening to torpedo the business.    Rep. Chris Murphy wants government to support U.S. manufacturers Murphy would like to see manufacturers get a bonus for purchasing more than 50 percent of a product from U.S. suppliers while adding additional jobs in the United States.    Feingold is right: We must 'buy American' "The federal government needs to be held accountable on whether it is supporting hardworking Americans," Feingold said. "My legislation will help close loopholes in current law that have allowed federal agencies to evade the Buy American Act. By purchasing American-made goods whenever possible, our federal government will send a simple message to American workers: We support you."    Steel becomes the latest Chinese product to face tariffs All six members of the U.S. International Trade Commission agreed that Chinese producers are dumping steel grating products and should face a tariff of 10 to 16 percent. Close to $3 billion worth of the pipes were imported, a 350 percent increase from 2006 levels.    BAMW: Will there be a Buy American trend in 2010? As we prepare to usher in a New Year and a new decade with an ongoing unstable and uncertain economy, there is evidence that the New Year's resolution on the minds of many Americans is to pay more attention to domestic products when making their purchases.    Whirlpool to reopen northern Ohio freezer factory Appliance maker Whirlpool says it will reopen a northern Ohio factory that was shut down when a Canadian company announced it could not find a buyer. The Benton Harbor, Mich.-based company has Ohio plants in Clyde, Marion and Findlay.    BAMW: Supporting American health care and American manufacturing Many times my 'Buy American Mention of the Week' articles feature products from smaller companies that are based online and aren't available in stores.    Acme can claim made-in-USA label all to itself Many specialty staple customers value a U.S. source of supply for a variety reasons -- shorter development and production lead times, lower shipping costs, secure supply and "Made in America" being among them.    Seattle's SwaddleDesigns Named to the Inc 500 List of the 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies in USA SwaddleDesigns' made in USA strategy continues to be an important part of its success.    Japan's Cash for Clunkers Excludes US Cars Cars made by U.S. automakers, like GM and Ford, are effectively excluded from the Japanese cash-for-clunkers program. "It's outrageous that Japan denies that their 'cash for clunkers' program discriminates against American automakers. When we put together the CARS program, we followed international law and made it apply to all cars sold in the United States--not just American cars," said U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan).    BAMW: The toys under your tree should be China-free What does "Made in USA" mean to you? It should mean exactly what it says, right? American-made products with no imported pieces and no foreign assembly.    Lawmakers urge Buy American mandate in jobs bill "If we are going to pass a strong job creation bill then it only makes sense to include strong Buy American provisions to further ensure that the jobs ... are created within the United States," lawmakers Bruce Braley and Mike Michaud said in a letter to House of Representatives leaders.    College Professor: This holiday season be a hero Every time you buy a product made in the USA , you are telling the store that you support American made product. If you refuse to buy products made in China, the stores will not keep it. Remember the stores do not want to stock products that they can not sell.    BAMW: Visiting the Virtual Old General Store An upwardly mobile trend is the presence of e-commerce sites that sell only American-made goods, and if you're a supporter of the Buy American cause, this is good news.    Pew Poll: Isolationism and China Rising For the first time in forty years of polling, a plurality of Americans -- 49 percent -- think the US should "mind its own business internationally." Matched only by this: for the first time a plurality of Americans -- 44 percent -- see China as the world's leading economic power. Only 27 percent name the U.S. Just last year, the US was at 40 percent -- ten points ahead of China.    On jobs front, President Obama needs to show a little audacity Obama fought for, and won, a "buy American" provision in the stimulus bill requiring dollars to be spent on domestic goods. The policy has rankled Canadian businesses, which lost an estimated $4 billion selling pipes, filters and other heavy-duty infrastructure items to American cities and counties for water and sewage systems. To his credit, Obama has refused repeated requests from Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to exempt his country from the "buy American" clause.    The Little Company that Did Mike Whitworth's small toy-making company, Whittle Shortline Railroad in New London, Mo, gained a national market when Chinese-made trains were recalled in 2007. His American Puzzle Co. now produces its own designs, plus George Luck Puzzles that previously were manufactured in China. "We're actually bringing jobs back here," Whitworth says.    Obama must act to add jobs When $1 billion in stimulus money was used to boost to the U.S. wind power industry, more than 80 percent of the money went to foreign firms. We're paying to buy wind turbines from China -- even though the Chinese have strict "Buy China" rules for their own $600 billion stimulus program.    Americans favor protectionism in a new Gallup Poll as the best way to create jobs Out of 17 different responses, "Keep manufacturing jobs here/stop sending overseas" was the most popular response (see complete table at the end of the article).    Lack of Money/Wages Top Family Financial Problem in U.S. When asked in an open-ended question to name the most important financial problem facing their families today, one in six Americans (17%) say low wages and a lack of money. Healthcare costs are next, at 14%.    BAMW: Shopping at the 'Made in USA Products Store' If you were out and about shopping on Black Friday or the weekend that followed, you've probably had enough of the traffic and the crowds.    Farouk Systems is moving 1,000 jobs from China to Texas to make their ceramic hairstyling irons! Click the link above to see the video.    BAMW: Buy American this Black Friday Everything we bring to the table this Thanksgiving can be "made in USA" from the plates and glasses, to the silverware, cookware, candles, and coffee. Here is how we can make our Thanksgiving Day table a cornucopia of American-made products.    NBA uniforms may be made in Asia Senator urges Adidas to keep uniforms 'Made in the U.S.A.' but Adidas is German owned and owes no loyalty to the United States workforce.    Understanding China The West has gotten it wrong on China for decades -- even as it embraces a market economy, it has shunned Western-style freedoms. And its power is only growing.    Leo W. Gerard: Hell if D.C. Didn't Offshore $849 Million in Stimulus for Windmills Already Of the $1.05 billion in clean energy grants awarded by D.C., $849 million -- 84 percent -- went to foreign wind companies.    BAMW: Buying American the way of eagles Bald Eagles were removed from the endangered species list in June 2007 because their population recovered, even though the protections under the Eagle Act continue to apply.    Washington Times Against Protectionism Before They Were For It President Obama is visiting Asia, and is blasted over and over about America's supposedly "protectionist" policies. Think about it, the country with the massive trade surplus accuses the country with the massive trade deficit of being "protectionist." Call it The Audacity Of Projection.    Wind turbine jobs blow in China's direction Most of the wind energy projects seeking money under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act rely on foreign-made turbines. There would be perhaps 330 jobs created in Texas. Most would be temporary construction jobs. Meanwhile, thousands of Chinese workers in the northeastern industrial city Shenyang would build the labor-intensive turbines.    China's A-Power to Build U.S. Wind Turbine Factory China's A-Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. and the U.S. Renewable Energy Group -- partners in a Texas wind farm that has raised eyebrows and concerns on Capitol Hill -- announced plans today to build a wind turbine production factory in the United States. The 320,000-square-foot plant would employ roughly 1,000 U.S. workers and produce 1,100 megawatts of turbines annually for projects in the Americas, according to an agreement signed by the companies. The turbines would be built with technology licensed by A-Power and mechanical components sourced from U.S. manufacturers.    BAMW: Preserving American military heritage and pride Cockpit USA has been a supplier of fine civilian and military apparel for 35 years, and now their classic American collection of quality goods are available from their New York headquarters to anywhere in America you happen to be    Toyota recall unable to prevent 19 fatalities The Los Angeles Times is reporting this morning that over 1,000 Toyota and Lexus owners have reported sudden, spontaneous acceleration of their vehicles. 3.8 million vehicles in the U.S. have been recalled due to an improper-fitting floormat which could possibly get stuck under the gas pedal. The Los Angeles Times is reporting they have found crashes which resulted in 19 fatalities.    BAMW: Christmas and Consumer Patriotism You may remember back in June of this year when JC Penney came out with a shirt that said "AMERICAN MADE" across the front.    One Million Maclaren Strollers Recalled -- What's up? There have been a run of baby products recalled lately including cribs, jog strollers, bassinets, even jars organic apple baby food. There have been 15 reports of children placing their finger in the made-in-china stroller's hinge mechanism, resulting in 12 reports of fingertip amputations in the United States.    BAMW: Strolling down the American Aisle Have you ever been strolling down the aisle of a nearby, local retail store and wondered why they don't have an "American Aisle" where you could find only American-made goods?    U.S., EU Seek Trade Probe of China Raw-Material Curbs The U.S. and the European Union asked the World Trade Organization to probe Chinese taxes on exports of raw materials used in the metals and chemical industries, escalating a third joint complaint against China. The duties discourage the export of commodities including coke, bauxite and manganese that are "critical" for U.S. and European manufacturers, while keeping them cheaper and available in China, the U.S. and the EU said yesterday.    Recovery dollars for foreign-owned companies The Investigative Reporting Workshop at the American University School of Communication reports that a large portion of clean energy grant money has gone to foreign-owned companies. 84 percent ($849 million) $1.05 billion in clean energy grant money was awarded to foreign-owned wind companies.    BAMW: Protect the 'Made in USA' label Do you feel the 'Made in USA' label and its integrity and value should be protected?    US wants India to decrease tariffs on industrial goods Commerce ministry officials are examining a demand made by the US that India should agree to steep tariff cuts on a range of industrial products that cover about 60 per cent of the latter's overall imports. Brazil has informed that it cannot accept Washington's requests made during a bilateral meeting in Paris last month.    China to pursue trade case against US automakers China has told the U.S. that it will take steps that could lead to higher tariffs on imports of autos made by GM, Chrysler and Ford.    BAMW: Power of the 'Made in USA' label propels domestic sales Is there any real power in the 'Made in USA' label when it comes to influencing American consumers?    You should buy American When I graduated from high school, jobs were plentiful and foreign competition was insignificant. I had three auto plants, five steel plants, a copper smelter, an aluminum mill and dozens of other manufacturing facilities to choose from in the Metro area.    Surprise! Buying American still matters "When it comes to longer term benefits, a lot of activity happens in the country in which the company's world headquarters is domiciled," said Thomas Klier, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago who has written extensively on the auto industry.    USW Affirms Report on China Glass Industry Subsidization as Job Threat The USW currently represents about 15,000 workers actively employed in the North American glass industry at production plants that make auto and truck vehicle glass, office and residential energy efficient windows, fiber optic cable, glass containers, cookware and applications for electronic devices.    Canada turns to WTO over U.S. label law After months of fruitless talks with the Obama administration, Canada wants the World Trade Organization to settle a dispute over a new U.S. food-labeling law that threatens tens of millions of dollars worth of Canadian hog and cattle exports. U.S. officials counter that country-of-origin regulations are common around the world. "Countries have agreed since long before the existence of the WTO that country-of-origin labelling is a legitimate policy," U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a joint statement yesterday.    Marketing case study shows 10% sales lift from "Made in USA" tag See how an American furniture manufacturer promoted their products' domestic origins to lift sales more than 10% and orders-per-day 19.1%.    Canada's Mayors withdraw Buy American boycott threat Welland Mayor Damian Goulbourne said he can understand where the U. S. government is coming from in putting the Buy American campaign in place. "They're trying to stimulate their economy," he said, adding in Canada the prime minister and government are responsible for doing the same.    Feds probe Toyota Tundras The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday opened a preliminary investigation into corrosion on 218,000 Toyota Tundra pickups -- the latest safety issue to dog the Japanese automaker.    Toyota asks $2M for Calif. worker training Toyota Motor Corp. has reportedly touched off a firestorm in Sacramento with a request for a $2 million payment for training workers it will soon be terminating. Labor union lobbyist Barry Broad, acting chairman of the state's Employment Training Panel, said "we can't in good conscience give money to train people how to do jobs that are about to disappear forever" while calling it "some kind of dreadful corporate welfare."    Runaway Car Triggers Toyota Safety Recall Toyota is recalling almost four million vehicles in the U.S. because of a risk that the driver's side floor mat could cause the accelerator to stick, leading to a fatal car crash. The move came after a family died in a terrifying 120 mph crash when the accelerator on their Lexus became stuck. Eight models of Toyota and Lexus cars and trucks, including the Camry and Prius, are affected in what is the company's biggest U.S. recall to date.    U.S. Steel Files Dumping Petition Against Chinese Steel Pipes U.S. Steel Corp. asked the U.S. Commerce Department to impose dumping and anti-subsidy duties of as much as 90 percent on some Chinese steel pipe imports, days after the Obama administration set tariffs on Chinese tires. The petition was filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission against $400 million in imports of pipes used in chemical, petrochemical, refineries and related operations. The U.S. imposed tariffs this month on a different type of steel pipe from China in a separate case.    Change in economic policy sorely needed Yes, the Japanese and German auto manufacturers have built assembly plants in the U.S, but many of the high-value parts like engines and transmissions are still coming from outside the U.S. And the necessary research and design for those cars is being done elsewhere. Of the developed nations, the U.S. is the only one that has run a chronic trade deficit for the last 20 years. But why should we continually buy more manufactured products from other countries than they buy from us?    BAMW: The Impact of Obama's Chinese Tire Tariffs As expected (as I expected, anyway) President Obama slapped fairly significant tariffs on Chinese tires that have been flooding the U.S. market and forcing American factories to close and American workers to lose their jobs.    Buy American resolutions pass Ramsey County, St. Paul City Council The St. Paul City Council and the Ramsey County Board have passed labor-backed resolutions calling for use of American-manufactured steel in public-works projects funded by economic stimulus dollars. Similar resolutions are in the works in Minneapolis and Hennepin County. Buy-American resolutions on the local level, according to Dave Hallas, recording secretary of United Steelworkers Local 7263, reinforce similar provisions written into the stimulus package passed by Congress and signed by President Obama in February.    Obama to hit China with tough tariff on tires The Obama administration will impose stiff tariffs on imports of Chinese-made tires after finding that a surge of imports has disrupted the U.S. domestic market. The action is the first major trade enforcement action of his presidency and comes less than two weeks before a high-profile summit of the leaders of the Group of 20 nations, including China. It is the first time the U.S. government has imposed special "safeguard" provisions to protect a U.S. industry from Chinese competition.    U.S. Says China Violated Trade Law To even the playing field, the Commerce Department has ordered that tariffs ranging from an estimated 11 percent to 31 percent be imposed on the steel pipes from China. The volume of steel pipes imported from China more than tripled between 2006 and 2008, rising from $632 million to $2.6 billion, according to the Commerce Department.    Get Toyota to Tell the Truth "The American legal system and vehicle owners need to rise up to 'get Toyota to tell the truth' about its hidden crash safety data," said Dallas attorney Todd Tracy, recognized as one of the world's top legal experts on vehicle accidents and safety defects that cause crashes. "Toyota was the top benefactor of the 'Cash For Clunkers' stimulus rebate program. Their cover-up of serious safety problems makes a 'chump' out of the American taxpayer."    China's Ring of Power While nobody was paying attention, Beijing was busy cornering the market on a little-known, but much coveted, strategic commodity. China caught on to green lanthanide's strategic value early and has been cornering the market ever since. The country now controls more than 95 percent of the world's supply. These metals, today used in commercial products such as mobile phones and iPods, will increase in value over the coming years, as they are essential in a range of energy-efficient applications from hybrid cars to wind turbines.    Marketing Jewelry's "Made in America" Selling Point For the month of June 2009, Google Adwords keyword tool shows that over 200,000 Internet searchers looked for information pertaining to the keywords "American made."    A Grand Goal for More U.S. Manufacturing Jobs "We should set a goal...to have manufacturing jobs be no less than 20% of total employment, about twice what it is today," Immelt said. "This is a national imperative." According to Susan Helper, chair of the economics department at Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management, the speech turned heads. "GE had been a leader of offshoring, saying it was just too expensive to manufacture in the U.S., so to hear Immelt arguing that we need to rebuild our industrial base is significant," she says.    Suntech Admits Selling Below Cost In U.S. To Gain Share Suntech CEO Shi Zhengrong told the New York Times that his company is selling solar panels in the U.S. market for less than the cost of materials, assembly and shipping in a bid to boost market share. The Times disclosed the comment in a report today on the rapid growth of the Chinese solar manufacturing sector. The piece notes that "backed by lavish government support," the Chinese are planning to build plants to assemble products in the U.S. to bypass protectionist legislation. Chinese solar companies, the story says, "are encouraging their United States executives to join industry trade groups to tamp down antti-Chinese sentiment before it takes root." Suntech plans to announce within the next two months its plans to build a $30 million solar panel assembly plant in Phoenix or somewhere in Texas. "It'll be to facilitate sales -- 'buy American' and things like that," Steven Chan, the company's president for global sales and marketing, told the Times.    New Zealand's Meridian Energy Buys US Solar Company New Zealand's largest electricity generator, Meridian Energy, is testing the potential of solar power with the $5.4 million purchase of the San Francisco-based solar firm Cleantech America.    BAMW: Seeking out socks from American sources When we think of clothing, we often think of shoes or jeans but not necessarily what's in between. Yes, I'm talking about socks.    BAMW: Saving American Manufacturing When the average American thinks about manufacturing, and it seems most rarely do, they tend to think about it as "dying."    Thousands of Volkswagens and Audis Recalled Because of Transmission Problems Only After 'Good Morning America' Started Asking Questions Volkswagen and Audi are recalling 6,000 vehicles because of transmission problems that make them lose power -- or completely stall -- out of the blue. What's most startling is that they're brand new vehicles. "The flash of death" has occured after as little as 81 miles or two days.    Toyota Motor Company Profile from Crocody (Collaberative Research on Corporations) Toyota has used its obsession with quality and efficiency to turn itself into the world's leading automaker. Although the Japanese headquartered company has production and sales operations around the world, its success has been based to a great degree on the United States, where it has built a series of heavily subsidized plants.    U.S. Helps Spanish Company to Buy Texas Bank Guaranty Bank, a deeply troubled Texas lender, was sold on Friday to Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria of Spain in one of the largest government-assisted deals offered to a foreign firm.    Rebates coming for buying new appliances Call it "Cash for Clunkers," the home-appliance edition. Now that your gas-guzzler is off the road, the government is moving on to energy-wasting household appliances.    American Protectionist Society Protectionism Defined: The proper use of government power to: (1) protect the nation from any unfair, institutional foreign interference in the peaceful voluntary cooperation in the division of labor of its citizens; (2) establish taxes on foreign importation as a system of providing a major source of revenue for the general operating expenses of the national government. (Derived from the laws of free market economics.)    US Trade Deficit Grows as Imports Rise The increase reflects a 2.3 percent jump in U.S. imports of goods and services in June - the biggest increase this year. U.S. exports rose 2 percent in the same month.    American Company's Unique "Made in U.S.A" Formula is Bringing Jobs Back to U.S. from China According to Rick Admani Abulhaj, Diagnostic Devices, Inc.'s chief operating officer, "At DDI, we analyzed every angle of our overseas manufacturing and devised a means to bring jobs back to the U.S., while remaining competitive and even cutting costs by a projected 40 percent. The answer to the dilemma is the implementation of cutting-edge automation and robotics technologies that deliver an enhanced bottom-line effect and give us greater control of our operations and our intellectual property."    It Is Now Obama's Economy: America's Oldest Printed Circuit Board Company Closes Its Doors As owner of the Cary, Ill.-based manufacturing company, Doug Bartlett, chairman of Bartlett Manufacturing Co., was hanging on early this year to see if President Barack Obama would change course from the Bush administration's strict adherence to free trade. It was not to be. With the potential for skyrocketing taxes that will be required to pay off the Democrats' massive government stimulus program, which has had little impact on the U.S. electronics manufacturing sector, "I am not going to be the government's sacrificial lamb," Bartlett adds.    China trade official goes to Washington on tires case China is sending a vice minister of trade to Washington to lobby U.S. administration officials against imposing duties on Chinese-made tires, the Ministry of Commerce said on Monday. The Obama administration has until September to decide whether to levy duties up to 55 percent, in the first of a growing list of trade issues with China.    Actress Sued Over Opposition to US Beef A U.S. beef importer filed a 300-million-won ($250,000) compensation suit with a Seoul court against actress Kim Min-sun for allegedly misleading the public into a boycott of their product and damaging sales. "Due to Kim's ignorant comments, people refused to eat U.S. beef. She damaged our business and, furthermore, the 300 billion won domestic market," Park Chang-kyu, the head of A-Meat, reportedly said.    China vs. the U.S.- Who Will Blink First? As of the time of writing this article, we have over $11,675,436,559,627.94 in national debt, with the Chinese holding nearly $800 billion of it.    Foreign Demand for Long-Term U.S. Assets Rebounded Investors in Japan and the U.K. increased their holdings of U.S. assets as the Obama administration sold debt to finance a record budget deficit and fund economic stimulus spending. China, the biggest foreign holder of U.S. Treasuries, decreased its total holdings of U.S. government securities by $25.1 billion to $776.4 billion.    BAMW: Join the How Americans Can Buy American group on facebook! Are you on facebook? If so, you can join the How Americans Can Buy American group on facebook here and post your comments about buying American on the site.    Ford, Toyota in a close race to No. 1 Make no mistake, there's trouble in Toyota City. The Japanese automaker has lost more than $4.8 billion over the past year. Toyota's critical U.S. sales are down 34% -- worse than the industry's 32% decline. At the end of July, just 7,284 vehicle sales this year stood between Toyota (945,321) and Ford (938,037) in the United States.    Japanese sales climb in 'clunkers' program General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group LLC saw a dropoff in sales while those of foreign rivals rose in the latest tally of "cash for clunkers" sales, as Toyota Motor Corp. dethroned GM as the top seller. Toyota has sold 18.9 percent of vehicles purchased through the clunkers program, surpassing GM's 17.6 percent.    Hyundai decides to import Equus luxury full-size sedan The move was expected. Hyundai had imported 100 of these fine equine to the U.S. this summer for customers to test.    New law puts locally produced foods on menu What wasn't calculated in those bids, West says, are the environmental costs - such as carbon emissions - of transporting New Zealand apples to Portland. In addition, West says, public agencies buying local goods keep those dollars in the local economy. And food purchases made from local farmers helps keep local farms viable.    China accuses US of protectionism in tire case A Chinese trade official said Wednesday that a U.S. complaint about China's tire exports smacks of protectionism and appealed to Washington to avoid taking steps that might harm relations. The United Steelworkers union says Chinese tire exports to the United States more than tripled in the 2004-08 period to 41 million tires a year, and that led to the loss of 5,100 American jobs and another 3,000 jobs could be lost this year.    DPJ chief hits at 'US-led' globalism Yukio Hatoyama, the leader of Japan's opposition Democratic party who is strongly placed to become prime minister after elections this month, has condemned "US-led market fundamentalism" and vowed to shield his nation from the effects of untrammelled globalisation.    Another Reason To Hate Protectionism Check out the awesome, well-reasoned response this article.    Survey: Americans don't want Mexican trucks on U.S. highways A new national survey by Rasmussen Reports shows 66 percent of those questioned oppose allowing Mexican trucks on U.S. roads. The same Rasmussen poll found 52 percent want to keep "Buy American" rules in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which requires stimulus money to go mostly to American businesses and contractors. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper wants the U.S. to scrap the rule but only 18 percent in the survey like that idea.    'Britons losing their cherries' as foreign imports wipe out 2,000 years of homegrown fruit It was once the nation's favourite summer fruit, outselling even the strawberry. But now the English cherry is in peril. Faced with competition from global rivals, traditional varieties are in danger of disappearing, say food campaigners. But over the past 50 years, Britain has lost 90 per cent of its cherry orchards and foreign imports now account for nearly 95 per cent of the fruit sold in the shops.    Legislation Would Aid Consumers in Holding Foreign Manufacturers Accountable for Chinese Drywall The Foreign Manufacturers Legal Accountability Act of 2009 (S. 1606) is legislation that will make it easier to hold foreign manufacturers accountable in the U.S. civil justice system, putting them on a level playing field with American manufacturers. Currently, foreign manufacturers are able to skirt the law, exporting billions of dollars of their products to the U.S. without facing accountability for product defects that injure or kill Americans. One example is the 500 million pounds of drywall, made in China, which is plaguing homeowners throughout the country because of the sulfuric gases the drywall emits. Homeowners face multiple obstacles holding the Chinese manufacturers responsible for the destruction the drywall is causing.    U.S. lawmakers urge tariff as part of climate bill Any U.S. climate change law must include tariffs on some products from countries that do not have carbon restrictions, democratic lawmakers said in a letter to the White House on Thursday. "As Congress considers energy and climate legislation, it is important that such a bill include provisions to maintain a level playing field for American manufacturing," the lawmakers said. Ten Senators from heavy industrial states signed the letter, including Sherrod Brown, Democrat of Ohio and Debbie Stabenow, Democrat of Michigan.    Tide of 'Buy American' sweeping across U.S. as municipalities adopt protectionist measures despite Obama's pledge A closer look at the resolutions being adopted across the U.S. reveals something bigger - something more organized - is at play in cities as diverse and distant from each other as Ferndale, Mich., and Hercules, Calif. "Be it further resolved that the City of Ferndale is committed to purchasing products and services made or performed in the United States of America whenever and wherever possible with any economic recovery monies provided to the City," reads a resolution adopted by one council on April 27.    How Americans Can Buy American is now on Facebook! Join the How Americans Can Buy American group and make posts on the site about buying American. There is also a discussion forum where you can discuss what you know about that is made-in-USA so we'll all know! Let's help make this the biggest and best Buy American site on Facebook!    BAMW: Help GM Reinvent itself the Right Way! As the entire auto industry struggles and GM in particular seeks to reinvent itself, the new GM has started a new website at GMIntervention.com where new CEO Fritz Henderson is soliciting ideas from the car buying public.    DPJ manifesto softens pledge to form free-trade pact with U.S. The opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has toned down a pledge to conclude a free-trade agreement with the United States in its manifesto, saying instead it will "promote negotiations." The amendment came in response to criticism from farmers, fearing that they would be washed aside by a flood of cheap imports from the United States.    No One's Minding the Store To talk of "free trade" when China protects and controls everything is fanciful. China's government even offers incentives to invest and produce in China. China, protecting its economy, has become the superpower in the trade war as the United States refuses to protect its economy and remains AWOL in the trade war.    Insights with host Hugh Downs Launches American Made Products Segments The Senior Producer for the programs said, "The series will focus on the importance of keeping manufacturing here in the United States, and the advantages of buying "made in America" products."    China Pressures US Treasury Department for Better Debt Terms The Treasury Department has its work cut out for it this year trying to borrow enough to fund our $2 trillion federal budget deficit, which is five times the deficit of last year. We have already grown quite dependent on loans from the Chinese, which is ironically money earned from selling cheap goods to the USA.    Buy-American vs. safety makes for battle over military uniforms U.S. troops routinely face the threat of roadside bombs while fighting insurgencies in Afghanistan. They need the most protective clothing the market can bear, and they're getting it - for now. Back home, a battle is brewing in Congress over the next lucrative contract for military uniforms. The issue boils down to the raw fiber used in their construction. Current uniforms are made in the United States, in Georgia, using a fabric called Defender M made by the TenCate company. It is favored by the military for its fire-resistant and breathable properties. But the fabric is made with a type of rayon imported from Austria, which normally would violate the military's buy-American requirement.    Debbie Stabenow: 'Buy American' prohibited in 'cash for clunkers' by international law In the wake of yesterday's approval of a $2 billion cash infusion for the 'cash for clunkers' program, Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan says international law prohibited congress from including a "Buy American" provision in the original legislation.    In Tire Tariff Case, Obama Faces First Chinese Trade Policy Test In a hearing scheduled for Friday, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will consider whether to endorse a recommendation by the International Trade Commission to impose tariffs of as much as 55 percent on Chinese-made tires for passenger vehicles and light trucks that are sold by independent tire dealers.    Offshoring by US companies surges: survey The number of US companies with a corporate offshoring strategy in place more than doubled in the past three years, according to the fifth annual report on offshoring trends, published by Duke University in collaboration with the Conference Board. Of the companies surveyed, 53 percent had a corporate offshoring strategy in place, up from 22 percent in 2005, said the Conference Board, a nonprofit business research organization.    BAMW: American-made home improvement I received an email the other day, as I often do, telling me that there just isn't much out there that's made in USA anymore. But the truth is that there are more American-made goods available than we think if we know where to look    Japan sends U.S. letter on "Buy American" worries In the letter, Japan's ambassador to the United States, Ichiro Fujisaki, said "Taking into consideration the flow from the previous stimulus package, we are concerned that there will be more moves to promote purchasing of American products."    STIMULUS WATCH: Foreign firms eye Obama rail plan The stimulus plan sets aside $8 billion for high-speed rail, a figure that has ambassadors and foreign leaders jockeying to get their preferred companies in on the deal. Though the law requires the U.S. to "buy American" with stimulus money, the rail plan requires so many trains and so much expertise that the administration has conceded foreign companies are likely to be part of it.    Pakistan exports "threat to U.S. jobs" Plans by Washington to allow garment manufacturers in the Taliban-dominated northwestern parts of Pakistan to export their products duty free to the United States are under attack by American apparel makers and unions that believe the policy could come at a high cost to US workers.    Feds: Manufacturer falsely claims 'Made in USA' Enhanced Video Systems, which markets computer and television screen magnifiers, falsely advertised that its products were made in the states but actually are manufactured overseas, the FTC reported. Because the 13-year-old company is based in Huntington Beach and does its designing and assembling locally, company officials believe it warrants a U.S. stamp.    US manufacturing jobs go to China Doug Bartlett's factory used to make electronic circuit boards. But orders collapsed as the recession took hold. The factory shut in March with the loss of 87 jobs. In the past 18 months nearly two million American manufacturing jobs have been lost.    Decline of manufacturing and machine tools Since the crisis of the 1980s, the U.S. machine tool industry has descended to new lows, now ranked seventh in the world with an output last year of $3.8 billion. At the same time, Japan produced $15.8 billion in machine tools, Germany $15.6 billion, and China a remarkable $15 billion. One report says that China now produces one quarter of the world's machine tools.    More "Protectionism" Fever Swamp Dreams If you have any interest in some actual data and observations which rise a few notches above Nick Gillespie's fever swamp ramblings, I invite you to read "How Americans Can Buy American" by Roger Simmermaker.    BAMW: How to avoid tainted dog treats from China When Americans talk about their families, health and safety are obvious primary concerns. And for many Americans, pets are family too, so it makes sense to make sure you feed your pet something that's both safe and won't cause any long-term ill health effects.    US panel OKs two more steel trade cases vs. China The vote allows the Commerce Department to probe industry complaints that China is subsidizing production of the steel grating and the wire strand. It comes on the heels of another probe that could lead to steep duties on about $2.6 billion of Chinese steel tube products used in oil pipelines.    Smithfield Plant Added to Russia's Import Ban Despite this week's visit to Russia, where President Obama and his U.S. Commerce Secretary, Gary Locke, addressed import/export issues, Russian officials announce that more pork product imports will be suspended.    Fixing the leak So how does the American worker compete with four and five dollar-per-day wage scales? You can't, there is no level of productivity, no amount of robots or innovation that will enable you to compete.    BAMW: Bill O'Reilly maintains lame excuse for not buying American Bill O'Reilly has done it again! In a past column, I wrote about O'Reilly's May 22nd mailbag segment where he claimed his "Bold and Fresh" shirts were made in Central America because "We cannot get the volume of shirts we need in America, sadly."    Appleton urged to buy American with grant money If Valley Transit receives nearly $400,000 in federal stimulus funds as is expected to buy three hybrid buses, one thing is certain - the buses will carry the label "Made in the USA."    'Made in USA' required on flags Governor Corzine on Saturday signed legislation requiring that any flag of the United States or the state of New Jersey bought with state funds be manufactured in the United States.    OUR VIEW - To renew economy, renew manufacturing By now, we assume, most Americans have been disabused of the notion that our economy can prosper by letting people in other countries make all the things we want to buy. For those who didn't recognize it before, the economic meltdown should have driven home the reality that the hot shots in the financial sector who merely shuffle money around and wager billions on ephemeral investments don't add any real wealth to our economy; instead they have put millions of Americans at risk.    Finally, A CEO Speaks Up on How to Renew America Immelt exhorted Americans to give up the notion that the U.S. can make it as a services-led, consumption-based economy, where "a mortgage broker is pulling down $5 million a year while a Ph.D. chemist is earning $100,000." The country must refocus on manufacturing and R&D and must strive to be a leading exporter, he said. He announced that GE was opening an advanced manufacturing and software technology center outside of Detroit near the headquarters of Visteon, the auto parts maker that recently sought bankruptcy protection.    Toyota considers shuttering California plant after GM pulls plug on Pontiac "We need to determine whether it can be economically feasible to contract with Nummi without GM," Toyota officials said in their first statement since GM said last month that it would exit the relationship.    The Price of Cheap: When China's Products Fail, Americans Suffer Even if an American company goes to court and beats a Chinese manufacturer for providing faulty products, it's virtually impossible to get the overseas company to make good on its legal debt.    U.S. manufacturers continue innovating amid slump Analysts say it is critical that producers stick to the script and preserve R&D as much as possible. Because once the recovery begins, they will need lots of innovative products in the pipeline if they hope to continue competing against cheaper foreign rivals who, increasingly, cannot be beat on quality.    GM announces $46 million upgrade for Allen County plant When GM pitched the project to the Allen County Council last month, officials said it would allow the plant to retain 50 employees. But union officials have said the move likely will allow the plant to add workers in the coming years.    Study: Political leanings drive car choice "Liberals are the least likely to buy American, but I think you also have to look a little deeper to see that a higher percentage of those liberals would buy only American - more than would buy only foreign," said Roger Simmermaker, author of "How Americans Can Buy American: The Power of Consumer Patriotism."    BAMW: You can help build the biggest "American-made e-guide" on the Internet! Have you ever walked into a Home Depot, OfficeMax, JC Penney, or other major retail chain and thought, "I wish I had a list of products that are made in USA for this store?"    Chinese makers of shoddy goods rarely face U.S. sanctions Chinese manufacturers made more than half of the goods that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled last year, but few of them paid any price for producing defective wares. Moreover, without the threat of high-dollar damage claims, Chinese and other foreign manufacturers can continue to produce shoddy and dangerous goods undeterred.    Nissan EVs To Be Made In America The automaker chose the United States because it hopes to tap Department of Energy loans and grants meant to jump-start the production of eco-friendlier automobiles. The automaker had no comment on the Nikkei story, which was reported by Reuters.    Demand for Made in America brands on rise: Survey As of last month, the research shows that although consumers are still focused on value, there is a rise in those seeking American-made products over cheaper products. There is also a decline in wanting to shop around to save money.    Michaud Introduces Measure to Reform American Trade Policy Congressman Mike Michaud says his legislation, called the TRADE Act, would address the unfair advantage that other businesses in countries like Canada have over Maine businesses. "Health care -- when they have a nationalized health care system, when you look at other components of what Canada offers versus the United States, it puts us at a competitive disadvantage."    Goldcorp Loses Bid for $50 Million in Compensation From U.S. "The fact that Glamis' claim was even possible, that a foreign company could try to undermine U.S. environmental laws in the name of higher profits, shows why our trade agreements' foreign investor rules must be altered," said Margrete Strand Rangnes, director of the Sierra Club's trade program.    100 House Dems want new trade rules Over 100 House Democrats including nine committee chairmen have signed on to legislation that would require President Obama to submit a plan to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and other trade deals.    Mexican trucking group suing U.S. for $6B Mexico's National Cargo Transportation Association (Canacar) announced yesterday, June 1, it is suing the United States for $6 billion because of its refusal to allow Mexican haulers onto its roads as required under the North American Free Trade Agreement.    Free trade pacts prospects 'not good': top US lawmaker Prospects for reviving and approving US free trade pacts with Panama, Colombia and South Korea are "not good," Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warned Thursday.    I'm Placing My Bet On American Manufacturing In 10 years, we will look back and say this was our moment in time when we turned it around. The re-trenching--or in the case of the American auto industry, re-wrenching--brings us back to our roots. From this time of crisis, American manufacturing will be reborn. Call me an optimist, but consider what's happening in my world, in the fast-paced world of sport bikes.    Beijing orders 'Buy China' for stimulus projects China's World Trade Organization commitments require it to treat foreign and domestic goods equally in commercial trade. But Beijing has not signed a WTO treaty that extends such requirements to government procurement, which might limit options for challenging Beijing's "Buy China" order. Beijing has imposed similar requirements on government projects such as China's giant Three Gorges Dam to favor domestic suppliers of equipment and services.    BAMW: Bill O'Reilly's "Patriot Store" parody If you missed Bill O'Reilly's mailbag segment on May 22, you missed a mockery in the making of any reasonable meaning of what a "Patriot Store" might be all about.    BAMW: American-made, union-made 'Buy American' T-shirts If you're looking for a way to show your American pride and support for buying American, then check out our American-made, union-made "Buy American!" T-shirts in the USA Shop.    Canada passes "Buy Canada" type resolution The nonbinding resolution passed 189-175 at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference in Whistler, British Columbia. The head of the Federation said the delegates hope the resolution, that will not take effect for 120 days, will help strengthen Prime Minister Stephen Harper's case as he lobbies the U.S. for relief from the "Buy American" provision.    American dream fades at Axle plant in Hamtramck "They don't want a middle class," said Alford, 34, standing in the rain, the shoe still untied, referring not only to the managers of American Axle, but also the owners of industry in general. "I see that in the future people will have to move to Mexico for a job. This is a dark day for the American laborer."    Mattel to Pay $2.3 Million Penalty for Toy Hazard Mattel Inc. and its Fisher-Price subsidiary will pay a $2.3 million civil penalty in an agreement with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for selling Chinese-made toys with hazardous levels of lead.    Lawmaker wants Made in USA Stars and Stripes flapping over state buildings If the Stars and Stripes flies over state-owned, leased or operated buildings, make sure it has a "Made in USA" label, a lawmaker says. That's the hope, anyway, of Sen. Roger N. Kahn, a Saginaw Township Republican. He introduced a bill that would require an American-made "Old Glory" flapping over state government buildings. "If we want to encourage our people to buy products made in America or Michigan, then the state needs to put its money where its mouth is," Kahn said in a statement. "I hope to see my bill become law."    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.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."    BAMW: 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.    BAMW: 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 Boll 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.    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."    Toyota likely to report loss in second half Analysts say that with the yen soaring and global vehicle sales sliding more than expected, Toyota was well on its way to falling into the red in the second half.    GM, Chrysler Bankruptcies Would Hit Confidence, Deepen Slump A GM or Chrysler bankruptcy "would be the start of a cascade of failures," says Dennis Virag, president of Automotive Consulting Group in Ann Arbor, Michigan. "The economy will be in chaos within weeks."    Rasmussen survey finds shoppers wouldn't buy cars from bankrupt auto makers A new poll by Rasmussen Reports of consumer found that 51 percent said they would not buy a car from a manufacturer who is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. Thirty-one percent in surveyed said they would be "OK" buying a car from a bankrupt car maker. Another 18 percent weren't sure.    UAW Condemns GOP for Scuttling Bailout The Republican Senate proposal sought to cut UAW wages, bringing them in line -- or at "parity" -- with what workers earn at foreign-owned, non-unionized plants in the United States. "If we work for nothing, it wouldn't help them limp into January," United Auto Workers President Ronald A. Gettelfinger said.    Buying Big 3 brings bonus Some companies give cash deals to workers who buy a car from domestic automakers.    Hey, Senator, check out the 43 mpg Ford Fusion hybrid If I had my way, carmakers would create vehicles that run off of hot air. It's the kind of development that might make the U.S. Congress useful.    Big 3 rescue wins rivals' support The risk that one of the U.S. car companies could collapse deeply worries Asian and German manufacturers with U.S. factories. "We're joined at the hip with our Detroit brethren in manufacturing," said Irv Miller, group vice president and chief spokesman at Toyota Motor Corp.'s U.S. sales subsidiary. Whatever the U.S. government proposes to keep the U.S. automakers afloat, "we support it," Miller said.    Southern senators like Shelby, McConnell and DeMint backed $3 billion of government aid they received to locate foreign-owned plants in the United States Frank Larkin, a General Motors retiree from Newfane, recently called Shelby?s office to complain that the senator was looking out for his home state at the expense of the country. "It?s a protectionist deal, pure and simple," said Larkin, 70.    BAMW: The Big Three may perish through people's lack of knowledge Never before has their been such a large national debate over an issue so critical to the American economy accompanied by such large misconceptions of what the true facts really are as there has been over whether or not to extend a bridge loan to the Big Three.    A Bridge Detroit Needs The effects of a shutdown would multiply beyond the auto industry and would significantly postpone our nation's economic recovery. If Congress fails to act now, U.S. real gross domestic product could decline by more than 1 percent and the country would be likely to lose more than a million jobs.    Syracuse China: Made in China? Salina, NY -- In another blow to Central New York's slumping manufacturing sector, Libbey Inc. said Tuesday it will close its Syracuse China ceramic dinnerware factory in Salina in March, eliminating 275 local jobs. Syracuse China, which makes dinnerware for restaurants, hotels and institutional customers, is one of the region's oldest manufacturers. It was founded in 1871 in Geddes as the Onondaga Pottery Co.    Foreign tax policies put U.S. cars at disadvantage The $20,000 American car exported to Germany is saddled with the VAT (Value Added Tax) at the border -- which is imposed not just on the base price of the car, but the shipping and insurance costs as well -- and winds up costing $25,792 in Germany. This VAT disparity is reliably estimated to place an extra $290-billion burden on American manufactured goods and $85 billion on U.S. services -- or roughly half our yearly trade deficit.    GM retiree launches anti-Shelby Web site A retired engineer from General Motors Corp. has launched a new Web site, BoycottAlabamaNow.com, aimed at Republican Sen. Richard Shelby and the state he represents in Congress, Alabama.    The American Car Industry Never has the American car industry had a poorer press. No epithet these days seems too contemptuous in referring to the industry's managerial competence and no policy proposal too heartless in addressing the industry's high labor costs.    China irks US with computer security review rules The Chinese government is stirring trade tensions with Washington with a plan to require foreign computer security technology to be submitted for government approval, in a move that might require suppliers to disclose business secrets.    Pickens: Energy, fuel should be 'Made in America' Texas oil magnate T. Boone Pickens gave a rousing endorsement of American-made energy and fuels during the first Oklahoma Wind Energy Conference Tuesday, which drew more than 1,100 people. "We're going to go with everything American," he said, touting his Pickens Plan for energy independence.    Camry purchases by Indy draw fire "We're going to have layoffs before Christmas because sales of the Malibu have gone down," Bill Matthews, bargaining chairman of United Auto Workers Local 23, said Thursday. "The mayor overpaid for the Camrys and should have bought Malibus to support workers in Indianapolis, but he chose not to do it."    Mom, Apple Pie, and Hyundai? Consider quality. In 2007, Ford won 102 quality awards, including AutoPacific's Best in Class for three models and Germany's largest auto magazine's Auto 1 of Europe Award for its S-MAX. Forbes awarded the 2008 Chrysler 300 "the highest-quality car in the near-luxury category" over the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS, and Mercedes-Benz C Class. Of the 15 global finalists for the 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year Award, the Big Three manufactured nine, the Japanese four, and the Europeans two. The 2008 winner was GM's Cadillac CTS, which Motor Trend described as "proof that Detroit can still build a world-class sedan."    Obama, Who are You Wearing? Like many of his Cabinet picks, President-elect Barack Obama is remaining loyal to Chicago and wearing a locally-made Hartmarx tuxedo for the inauguration.    BAMW: American-made presents under an American-made tree With Christmas Day about a month away, many patriotic Americans are thinking about what kind of American-made gifts they can find to put under their Christmas trees. These same patriotic Americans may want to get an American-made, artificial Christmas tree to decorate and display as a gathering place for all those great and thoughtful gifts for friends and loved ones as well, but the problem is many consumers don't know where to go to get one.    Can Obama Keep New Jobs at Home? "The coming debate over "Buy American" restrictions in the fiscal stimulus is no sideshow. The financial crisis was caused, in large part, by U.S. consumers borrowing trillions of dollars from the rest of the world to buy imported cars, clothes, and gasoline, even as jobs slipped overseas. As long as the U.S. is running a big trade deficit and borrowing from abroad, a fundamental cause of the crisis remains."    Remember 'buy American'? Given a bailout, Detroit Three need to 'make American' What's an auto job worth? In Tennessee, where Volkswagen was offered incentives worth $577 million to build a 2,000-worker assembly plant near Chattanooga, each job is worth about $285,000. Translate that to the 235,000 workers employed by GM, Ford and Chrysler, and the total worth of those jobs nears $70 billion. So $25 billion in federal bridge loans would seem like a relative bargain to avert bankruptcy that auto experts say would wreck the industry.    Buy American and Save America Is it wise to continually ship your money out of the country, when you have a choice? How long can you do that before your country is owned by someone else?    After APEC, free trade orthodoxy questioned "People now look at the financial crisis and the lesson they learn is, 'See, globalization doesn't work,'" said Vinod Aggarwal, director of the APEC Study Center at the University of California-Berkeley.    Mexico's Calderon Warns Obama Against Renegotiating Trade Deal "Obama's signals have not been very positive as far as free trade is concerned," Luc Gerard, president of Bogota-based private equity fund Tribeca Partners, said in an interview. "There's definitely a concern."    Shrimpers cheer U.S. Customs But that doesn?t mean the SSA is pleased with the status quo. It?s estimated that upwards to $60 million worth of Chinese shrimp entered the U.S. market in 2005 that were falsely labeled as a product of Indonesia. Additionally, U.S. import data suggests that transshipment of Chinese shrimp through Malaysia continue unabated.    Fewer food inspections? That's foolish In brief, Chinese officials want U.S. inspectors to ease their oversight at ports of entry so China's manufacturers can get their products to market faster and without the stigma of being under watch.    China syndrome: Free tree was a bad deal This China syndrome is the result of free trade. It has caused the worst global economic meltdown since the Great Depression. Free trade was a bad deal to both American and Chinese workers who ultimately pay the price for the uncontrolled and inappropriate economic expansions which occurred in the U.S. and in China since 1997.    USW's Conway Says Final China Import Duties Needed on Line Pipe Conway made a personal plea, "Imagine what it would be like to see your job put at risk - not because of anything you did wrong, not because of factors beyond anyone's control, but simply because your government did nothing to prevent a flood of dumped and subsidized imports from slamming into this market. What kind of message does that send to hardworking Americans?"    BAMW: The present and potential future price of depending on foreign producers With the still recent rise of gas prices to $4.00 per gallon forever ingrained (hopefully) into the memory of American consumers, many of us have realized the real danger of dependence on foreign oil.    Chinese want to buy Big Three automakers With no big three making cars what's to stop Toyota and Honda from moving the plants to Mexico where costs are really low. It's only the threat of being shut out of the American market that keeps the Japanese building cars here. If we no longer have cars made in America by American companies we will have no choice but to buy their cars no matter where they are made.    BAMW: Support American-made products and spend less Never before has a presidential campaign addressed buying American so directly. In the 2008 presidential campaign, John McCain talked about creating jobs by selling American-made products into foreign markets, and Barack Obama started a "Buy American - Vote Obama" campaign in August.    Obama expected to bolster FDA oversight of imports "An Obama administration would swing the pendulum back more to protection of public health," said William Hubbard, a retired FDA official who held top posts. "This bodes well for greater regulation in the food safety area, on imports, and on drug safety."    Fair Trade Gains Ground in Congress Trade played a key role in congressional races, netting the "fair trade" movement 30 new seats in the House and Senate, according to a consumer advocacy group report.    China flexes military hardware muscle Some analysts believe China's ability to copy overseas technology, witnessed in countless industries over the past 20 years, could soon be powering its defence complex.    South Korea warns next U.S. president on trade deal South Korea on Wednesday urged the new U.S. president not to renegotiate a free-trade deal signed last year, saying the winner of the vote will find the pact beneficial to both sides. Democrat Barack Obama has said he opposes the free-trade deal with South Korea unless it is renegotiated to grant greater access to the Asian market for U.S. automakers.    Fears over Obama's protectionism in Thailand Pramon Suthivong, chairman of the Board of Trade, admitted that Obama's economic policies would be different from those of the Bush government to some extent. While Obama may not adopt a total protectionist policy on trade, he may raise some barriers against emerging markets to protect local industries, Pramon said.    China, Emerging Asia to Fight 'Protectionist' Obama Asia's leaders, led by an ascendant China, say they hope Barack Obama didn't really mean those campaign promises to protect American trade. And if he did, they are in better shape to object than ever before.    U.S. ordered to repay tariffs on Canadian wheat Are our amber waves of grain no longer a national symbol because we buy wheat from Canada because of free trade?    U.S. Light Duty Vehicle Sales 'Probably the Worst Sales Month in Post WWII Era' Chevrolet Malibu retail sales were up 129%; the Pontiac Vibe recorded a 6% total sales increase; and GM sold 44,500 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, and Chevrolet Avalanche full-size pickups in October, further solidifying its segment leadership.    Yamaha Rhino ATV Rollover Accidents Injure Hundreds, Yet No Recall Issued Yamaha Rhino All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) rollover accidents have injured - and in some cases killed - hundreds of people.    Factory closing slams Ga. Town It's not merely that Shaw Industries Group Inc.'s Plant 76 is the economic lifeblood of Trenton and Dade County, its 440 good-paying jobs make it the county's largest private employer.    Vise Grip plant closes, ending an era in DeWitt, Neb. The last Vise Grip locking pliers and Unibit drill bits to be manufactured here were boxed for shipping at 10 a.m. Thursday.    Detroit Has to be Saved The cost of bailing out Detroit, which will end up being one automaker not three shortly, is cheap compared to the enormous cost of bankruptcy.    Our debt to China is also to blame for financial crisis The big global engines of growth in the last seven years have been American consumers and Asian producers. They make stuff. We buy it. The trouble is, we borrow money from them to buy. And they've been too happy to lend. Next year, with all the rescue measures moving through the Treasury, the federal budget deficit may reach $1 trillion. This is a classic "guns and butter" budget, where we spend much more than we take in from taxes for two wars, Medicare, and on and on.    Democrats campaign to keep jobs at home Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, counts 35 close Senate and House of Representatives races where Democrats are raising trade as an example of President George W. Bush's "failed economic policies."    High Point Market Fall 2008: 'Made in USA' selling well "Retailers tell us that a growing number of consumers are coming into their stores and asking for furniture that is made in the USA," said Becki Gould, director of marketing for Saloom. Thomasville Furniture plans to increase the use of its domestic wood plants after this market. The company will add 100 jobs at its 1 million-square-foot, 700-worker plant in Lenoir, N.C., by the end of the year to produce a new modular home entertainment wall program.    US cuts off trade benefits to Bolivia over drugs The suspension will raise U.S. tariffs on imports of Bolivian jewelry, textiles, wood and other products. Bolivia estimates that 30,000 workers would lose their jobs and more than US$300 million in exports would be priced out of the U.S. market.    'Made in America' forum sees China as competitor U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-Dimock Township, told the audience he authored the Made in America tax cut that would give tax benefits to companies that keep manufacturing jobs in the country. When America loses the ability to make products, Carney said, "We will be little better than a banana republic and the fact is we can't grow bananas."    China Is Buying American Too It's not just Warren Buffett who is buying beaten down US equities. China is buying American too. In an SEC filing yesterday, China's sovereign wealth fund revealed that it is upping its stake in the private equity company Blackstone Group to 12.5%.    Unfair trade hurts U.S. jobs Southwest Ohio has been a cradle of research and innovation for over a century and we intend to be leaders in the new economy that is developing everyday. We know that we can compete with any country in any industry if there is a level playing field. Unfortunately, American companies, many of them in southwest Ohio, have been hurt by the unfair trading practices of their foreign competitors. One such company is Appleton Papers, which has a mill in West Carrollton that employs nearly 500 people.    Trade deficit takes toll on Fla. Jobs Florida ranks among the top 10 states for jobs lost because of the growing U.S. trade deficit, a report released Thursday by the nonprofit Economic Policy Institute said. The state's 233,800 jobs lost in 2007 were the seventh most in the nation, the report said. The report said the U.S. trade deficit resulted in the loss or displacement of 5.6 million jobs in 2007.    Illinois Losing Jobs to Unfair Trade Illinois lost 260,800 jobs in 20076 to rank sixth in the nation in the total number of jobs lost, according to a new report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). Even without considering the glut of foreign oil imports, the United States' massive trade deficit with all its trading partners resulted in the loss or displacement of 5.6 million jobs in 2007.    Report blames U.S. trade gap for 5.6 million lost jobs The U.S. trade deficit in goods other than oil cost American workers 5.6 million jobs last year, with Michigan and South Carolina leading the list of hardest-hit states, a report issued on Thursday said.    Notice of NAFTA Chapter Eleven Claim Submitted to Canadian Government on Behalf of U.S. Investor This action by the Government was taken discriminatorily, without legal authority and in violation of NAFTA and raises issues regarding the unfair treatment of American citizens investing in businesses in Canada.    Melamine Tainted Cookies Found in Alabama The Chinese import crisis continues.    BAMW: Choices for a China-free Christmas Don't be fooled. The problem with Chinese imports is still ongoing even if it no longer commands front page news courtesy of the recent financial crisis.    Stop free trade binge, tax cuts, deregulation Globalization and outsourcing have imperiled our security. We had to await flat panel displays from Japan before invading Kuwait. We had to await Swiss crystals before invading Iraq. We can't produce planes unless we get the parts from India. We can't produce helicopters unless we get the parts from Turkey. This nonsense has got to stop. We must place tariffs or quotas on military imports and produce in this country the supplies necessary to our security, which will help put America back to work.    NTSB told of trade loophole for Mexico buses in U.S. Mexican-made buses are getting across the border and past U.S. safety requirements because they are involved in international trade and are not considered imports, a federal inquiry revealed on Wednesday.    PerioLase(R) MVP-7(TM) Dental Laser From Millennium Dental Technologies Proudly Made in USA "In a struggling economy and in hard and uncertain economic times, other laser companies are selling laser devices to American dentists that in whole or in substantial part are outsourced and manufactured in foreign countries and then imported to the U.S.," said Millennium Dental Technologies President Robert H. Gregg II, DDS, a practicing dentist and co-developer of LANAP. "Millennium is proud to say that our dental lasers are Made in the USA and continue to contribute to and support the U.S. economy and the American worker."    Virginia Physicist Charged With Selling Space Technology Secrets to China While the technological data that Shu allegedly sold wasn't used in the rocket that launched the Shenzhou 7, the juxtaposition of events undercuts the message the Chinese government hoped to broadcast today: that the country has come into its own as a mature, space-faring nation, and that it needs no outside assistance to achieve its goals.    Microsoft Battles China Pirates With Office Price Cut It's no secret that Microsoft has been hit hard by software piracy in China. So in an effort to recoup at least a portion of what it sees as lost revenue, Microsoft has drastically cut the price of its Office suite. According to Reuters, Microsoft has reduced the price of its Office Office 2007 Home and Student Editions from 699 yuan ($102) to 199 yuan ($29), as part of a promotion that began on Monday and runs through Oct. 4, the end of China's National Week holiday.    US tries to calm fears about anti-piracy trade pact A proposed international agreement to reign in the huge worldwide trade in fake and pirated goods will not require customs officials to search laptop computers and music players for illegal downloads, a U.S. trade official said Monday. But digital rights advocates, who have filed a lawsuit to force the Bush administration to provide more details of the negotiations, said they remained concerned about the pact.    US autoworkers, Chrysler warn against Korea deal Last year, South Korea exported 668,000 autos to the United States, but imported only 6,500 U.S. vehicles    John McCain's claims of always buying American don't hold up McCain said recently in an interview with WXYZ-TV in Detroit: "I've bought American literally all my life, and I'm proud." Of the 13 cars McCain owns, only nine of them are considered American. The other four are a Toyota Prius (that he bragged about having), a Lexus, a 2005 Volkswagen convertible, and a 2001 Honda sedan. Shouldn't John McCain have known that claiming to buy American when you really don't isn't a good thing, especially if you want to win Michigan.    Barack Obama, What's Wrong with Protectionism? Protectionism is villainized by the Republican right (and even the center by groups like the Democratic Leadership Council), but all protectionism really is, is democracy functioning in the economic arena. It's the regulation of market forces, to reign them in to benefit the many (instead of the few). Protectionism is done to provide quality jobs to workers, and good environmental and safety standards too.    G7 vows to help US fight global financial crisis Details of the US Treasury proposal revealed over the weekend show the 700-billion-dollar US bailout of financial institutions includes foreign firms with operations in the United States.    Japan's biggest bank to buy 20% stake in Morgan Stanley Japan's biggest bank said Monday that it planned to spend as much as $8 billion for a 20% stake in investment banking firm Morgan Stanley in New York. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group in Tokyo is one of a number of Asian banks that appear primed to seize buying opportunities.    Michigan sugar beet growers unhappy with McCain The GOP senator is a longtime critic of tariffs on imported sugar. He says they force consumers to pay more for products containing sugar. During an interview that aired on CBS' "60 Minutes" program Sunday, McCain was asked what he would cut in the federal budget. He replied that, among other items, "I would stop these protectionist tariffs. I would stop subsidizing sugar."    Made in USA? Soon you'll know, sort of, with country-of-origin labeling Federal Country of Origin Labeling rules go into effect Sept. 30. After that date, meats, fruits, vegetables and nuts must be labeled to indicate what country they were produced in.    'Made in America' label beginning to pay off again Thomasville Furniture and Exxel Outdoors, a maker of camping gear, who have brought production back to the United States because of the soaring cost to transport goods. But even with high production costs, retailers can make more money on domestically produced products because of lower inventory requirements and faster turn-around times. Regal Ware Inc., for instance, gave up on manufacturing its high-end cookware in China, because it gets delivery in 24 to 48 hours from its Wisconsin plants, rather than the 30 to 60 days it takes from China.    Buy American as 'economic patriotism?' One of the reasons usually cited for the U.S. automakers' loss of market share are consumer perceptions that imports are higher in quality -- although several recent surveys by various research groups have revealed that Detroit carmakers have closed the "quality gap" in recent years to the point that it is almost negligible.    China Appeals WTO Ruling Against Car-Parts Tariffs The three-member panel's judgment "leaves no doubt that China's discriminatory treatment of U.S. auto parts has no place in the WTO system," U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said in a statement following the July ruling. Unless WTO judges uphold today's appeal, China may face retaliatory tariffs on its exports. The appeals procedure can last up to 90 days.    Rahall Votes to Stop NAFTA Mexican Trucking Program As Vice Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall, D-WV helped lead the House of Representatives late Tuesday, Sept. 9 in voting to immediately end a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) pilot program that allows Mexican trucks to operate beyond commercial zones at the U.S. - Mexico border.    To Michigan, Former Mexican Pres. Fox Says Get Over Job Losses Former ultra-conservative Mexican President Vicente Fox took a swipe at Michigan workers this week while appearing to endorse John McCain. In an interview with The Detroit News, President Fox seemed to suggest that Michigan workers should get over the loss of jobs caused by free trade agreements like NAFTA, federal tax policies that help corporations move Michigan jobs out of the state, and globalization generally.    Vicente Fox Favors a North American Union with a Common Currency and Criticizes U.S. Immigration Policy Former Mexican President Vicente Fox criticized the U.S. immigration policy and outlined his plan for a North American Union on Friday in Detroit. He addressed a crowd of 1,500 during the kickoff of the second season Wayne State University's Forum on Contemporary Issues in Society (FOCIS). The speech was followed by a book-signing session.    BAMW: American-made bags and cases of all kinds Part of the reason Waterfield chooses to produce locally is so they can control every step of the process, which has enabled the company to independently unleash innovative and creative ideas that oftentimes come from customer feedback.    Lawyer plans to sue to block Anheuser-Busch takeover Joseph Alioto, a San Francisco lawyer, said he plans to file a lawsuit in federal court in St. Louis because he says the merger will cause harm to consumers by charging higher prices for beer and diminishing competition.    Vise-Grip plant moving to China About 300 people work at the plant, which for decades has anchored the southeast Nebraska town of DeWitt, population 572. Roughly 40 of the employees make Unibit tool parts. According to Oden, managers said Unibit operations are moving to Maine.    If U.S. Auto Market Looks Tough Now, Wait 'Til the Chinese Get Here (Soon) A joint venture between Chrysler and Chinese manufacturer Chery looks like it has the inside track to be the first Chinese imports to arrive in the U.S. market, but the details are sketchy, especially the timing.    Obama, McCain differ on trade issues McCain: "It sounds like a lot of fun to bash China and others, but free trade has been the engine of our economy."    BAMW: Why General Motors and Ford Should Not Be Allowed to Fail GM and Ford don't deserve to go bankrupt any more than any other automaker since all of them are taking their hits because of higher gas prices.    Toyota Offers to Buy Back Rusty Tacomas "These vehicles may not have been properly treated in the plant with the undercoating that they use," said Sam Butto, a Toyota spokesman.    Be Loyal, Buy American The September issue of Consumer Report wrote of six million faulty tire valve stems imported from China. These stems are used in replacement tires.    Why Our Food Is Dangerous To Our Health The waterways of China and Hong Kong are so polluted with industrial chemicals, farm effluents, and human waste that seafood exporters must rely on antibiotic treatment just to keep the fish alive.    Cheap labor? You get what you pay for What does a company give up when it decides to outsource? It gives up some form of control. In our case we gave up the control of our software development.    It Should Now Be Called Cheap, Outsourced Labor Day Since Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton died in 1992, the company has been suggesting to their suppliers that they re-locate their factories to China. Wal-Mart sets a price which can only be met with slave labor.    U.S. weighs WTO case on China steel prices United States trade officials are planning to file a complaint against China at the World Trade Organization challenging export quotas and taxes on raw materials used in steel production, saying the measures put U.S. steelmakers at a disadvantage and violate the trade rules that China agreed to when it joined the global trade body in 2001, according to a report published in the Financial Times Thursday.    GDF to Buy FirstLight Power as Part of U.S. Expansion Paris-based GDF Suez SA, the world's second- biggest utility, agreed to buy U.S. hydroelectricity producer FirstLight Power Enterprises Inc. from Energy Capital Partners, making it the third-largest supplier to businesses in the U.S.    The biggest loser in Beijing? American workers. Choate argues in his latest book, Dangerous Business: The Risks of Globalization for America, that China's melding of capitalism and communism is nothing more than a return to the days of mercantilism, the dominant economic theory in the West from 1600 to 1800.    Chattanooga: VW celebration represents shift in consumer thinking, experts say Local officials and residents are excited about the coming VW plant because they "are looking at this in the short term," Mr. Simmermaker said. He pointed out that profits from American-made Volkswagens ultimately go back to Germany, so buying a Volkswagen because a family member might work at the plant would be "helping Uncle Bob, but hurting Uncle Sam."    BAMW: Dreaming of Made in USA Forever Should we accept endless Chinese products and the resulting trade deficits or is it possible we can return to the days when American-made products were in greater supply and easier to find?    Foreign-owned operations in U.S. often skate free of taxes Foreign corporations with operations in the U.S. tend to pay less in taxes than their domestic counterparts and are more likely to pay no income taxes at all, according to a federal report released this week. The U.S. Government Accountability Office report said 72 percent of foreign companies in the U.S. reported no federal tax liability for at least one year between 1998 and 2005.    Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group to buy UnionBanCal for $3.5B Union Bank is the 10th-largest bank operating in the Sacramento region    Rochester-area farmers fight cheap imports with U.S. Grown label Wayne County farmer Clifford J. DeMay says farmers don't need a handout or a government subsidy - they need a market where they can sell their goods. Sitting on the third-story balcony of his Williamson home, DeMay is surrounded by apple orchards where apples sometimes go to waste because of cheap imported apple juice concentrate from China and other countries.    Taiwan Avoids EU Duties, Moves Shoe Factories to Bangladesh Taiwanese industrialists are relocating their shoe, furniture, and tent fabric manufacturing units to Bangladesh. The units were in China and Vietnam before, but now that the U.S. and EU have levied anti-dumping duties on the two Asian countries, the change became necessary.    Obama Camp Unveils "Buy American, Vote Obama" Campaign Obama's Pennsylvania campaign, the aide says, will be hitting the ground this weekend in around five towns around the state with stickers and flyers bearing a "Buy American, Vote Obama" logo.    Obama goes after McCain over Harley McCain has been a critic of provisions that require the US government to buy American products, saying they are costly to taxpayers and antithetical to free trade. One such rule requires the Secret Service to buy American-made motorcycles; Harley-Davidson, headquartered in Milwaukee, is the only major US manufacturer.    A bad deal was made in the name of trade Line by line, Clinton and the GOP erased every protection our factory workers and entrepeneurs had against China's low wages, bestial labor practices and aggressive cheating. The China advocate in the Clinton White House was Robert Rubin, once a Wall Street colleague of Bush's treasury secretary, Henry Paulson.    U.S. Sugar buyout comes as industry pressures rise U.S. Sugar, which grows about 10 percent of the nation's sugar supply, has been well-known in the industry for its fierce opposition to free-trade pacts. "There are almost 40 different free-trade agreements currently lined up like airplanes on the runway," Coker told The Palm Beach Post in 2004. "They are scheduled to land here." Under trade pacts, the U.S. must import 1.2 million tons of sugar annually from 40 countries. The biggest share of that foreign sugar is provided by Mexico.    Buy U.S. cars, Warren mayor tells appointees "I felt that it was time to take some sort of definable stand," he said. "I informed staff that my expectation would be when they choose to buy a new car, they would buy an American car. It sets an example for the rest of the cities to follow."    Preliminary Ruling of Dumping in Innerspring Case Chinese mandatory respondents Foshan Jingxin Steel Wire & Spring Co. Ltd. and Soho International Group Holding Co. Ltd. received preliminary anti-dumping margins of 118.17 percent and 234.51 percent, respectively.    Bill would charge fees at ports for cleaner air Cargo shipping companies that send goods through ports in Oakland, Long Beach and Los Angeles would be charged new fees to fund efforts to reduce pollution under a bill approved Tuesday by the state Senate and sent to the governor.    Chinese flock to prestigious, gas-guzzling cars "In China, size matters," says Zhang, the 44-year-old founder of a media and graphic design company. "People want to have a car that shows off their status in society. No one wants to buy small." Zhang grasps the wheels of his Hummer, called "hanma" or "fierce horse" in Chinese, and hits the accelerator. General Motors has the number two market share in China behind VW.    Farewell, free market Here in the United States, consumers have already realised most of the possible gains from importing different and cheaper goods any further liberalisation won't help them much. But because the government has refused to deal, in any serious way, with the dislocation and economic insecurity that increased trade has spawned, too many lower-skilled workers have concluded, with reason, that they are the inevitable losers from globalisation.    Nissan seeks to cut 1,200 jobs in Tennessee And you thought only U.S. auto companies were cutting American jobs.    Mexican Serrano Peppers Have Salmonella, U.S. Says Consumers shouldn't eat serrano peppers from Mexico, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said after tests showed a sample of the peppers from a farm there was contaminated with salmonella.    Mexico criticizes US salmonella findings Mexican agriculture officials said Thursday that U.S. colleagues hunting for the source of a salmonella outbreak are rushing to a conclusion about finding the strain at a Mexican pepper farm.    Area firm recalls bagged cilantro NewStar was not available to comment on Wednesday evening. But according to the company's web site, they produce cilantro in Mexicali, Mexico.    Steelworkers Union Blames Free Trade For Job Loss The head of the International Steelworkers Union, Leo Girard, is blaming free trade for sapping jobs from the nation's steel industry. Girard cites a new study showing that trade with China alone is responsible for more than 2 million American job losses since 2001.    Wal-Mart bows to union in China Wal-Mart has never been union-friendly, but China has a lot of leverage with the big retailer. It has pushed a union into Wal-Mart, and now organized labor wants some changes. The All China Federation of Trade Unions has been able to get 8% wage increases in two regions for this year and next. Inflation in China is currently running just under 10%.    China Makes Wal-Mart Toe the Labor Line Wal-Mart Stores may stiff-arm unions in the U.S., but not in China. The giant retailer has just signed a new collective bargaining deal with the All China Federation of Trade Unions, the government-controlled union representing Wal-Mart's Chinese workers.    US textile state lawmakers want China monitoring Anxiety amongst US textile producers is rising, as a three-year bilateral agreement limiting 34 categories of apparel and textile imports, expires on December 31.    America for Sale Recent big deals include the July 13 acquisition of Anheuser-Busch, the owner of Budweiser and other iconic American beer brands, by Belgian brewer InBev for $52 billion. On July 21, Swiss biotech company Roche Holdings said it will swallow the rest of San Francisco-based Genentech that it doesn't already own for $43.7 billion. And on July 23, Japanese insurer Tokio Marine Holdings announced plans to buy U.S. insurance company Philadelphia Consolidated Holding for $4.39 billion.    America for Sale? This year, investors from the Middle East have spent nearly $1.8 billion on commercial property in the U.S., according to Real Capital Analytics, Inc. With no signs of these trends letting up, Americans are starting to wonder what's next? Is the USA on its way to becoming the United States of Arabia?    BAMW: Organizing: American-style All Peterboro baskets are made in Peterborough, New Hampshire where the family-owned and operated company has been making them for 153 years.    BAMW: Boycott Anheuser-Busch InBev and buy American beer instead If Americans stop buying Anheuser-Busch products and sales of the new Belgian company plummet, foreign companies will be forced to think twice in the future before trying to buy American companies and American assets.    COLUMN: Saluting our Chinese flag Congressman Filner from California introduced a bill back in May that would have required that all flags purchased and flown by the federal government be made in America. The well-intentioned bill was shot down last week. It couldn't get anywhere because of China.    American dollars don't have to leave America The Made in the USA movement is politically charged. What some see as protectionist, others see as necessary to protect the US against economic depredation that robs us of our jobs and our hard earned cash.    Busch-InBev beer deal may bring bitter results A Belgium-based brewing company's purchase of the USA's top beermaker, Anheuser-Busch, could spell trouble for the American sports industry, sports marketing executives say.    Lawmakers want US-made flags Congress can't halt the flow of Chinese-made flags, but lawmakers can try to control where they are flown. The House declared Monday that any flag flown on federal property should be made in the U.S.A.    Beijing officials want dog meat off the menu during Olympics Fearful of offending western sensibilities about eating man's best friend, Beijing tourism officials have asked hoteliers and restaurateurs to take dog meat off the menu for the duration of next month's Olympics and September's Paralympics.    U.S. Identifies $80M in Illegal China Transshipments Trade officials said today they had identified more than 1,000 cargo containers of illegally transshipped apparel from China valued at $80 million that entered the U.S. in 2006 and 2007.    US sets steep final duties on China off-road tires The U.S. Commerce Department on Tuesday set final duties ranging up to more than 210 percent on millions of off-road tires it said were being sold in the United States at unfairly low prices.    China's Tire Makers Not Deflated By Dumping Duties Although China protested the ruling, Chinese tire manufacturers did not see a drastic drop in their business. Chinese-fabricated off-road tires make up about four-fifths of U.S. imports, which amounted to about 12.4 million in 2005 and rose to nearly 15.0 million in 2006. After the Commerce Department imposed its initial preliminary anti-dumping duties, in 2007, imports declined only slightly, to 13.7 million that year.    Multiple Toys Recalled Due to Risk of Lead Exposure The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with the firms named below, today announced a variety of children's product recalls due to high lead contents and concerns over adverse health effects. All of the items were manufactured in China.    BAMW: Memo to McCain: You're Wrong Sen. John McCain had it all wrong when he claimed while campaigning in Michigan that the American jobs lost overseas never were coming back. The examples of American jobs returning home are growing.    Why They're Slinging Mud Over Bud "More Americans are realizing that we can't remain an independent country if we are under foreign control," says Roger Simmermaker, author of How Americans Can Buy American: The Power of Consumer Patriotism. "The Anheuser-Busch brand has a lot to do with American culture and American life."    BAMW: Keep Budweiser American! As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day later this week, we should be reminded that America can no longer remain an independent country if its manufacturing base is under foreign ownership or foreign control.    BAMW: U.S. Grown and U.S. Owned The time is now to buy American in areas from toys to food and beyond, and we should especially shun potentially dangerous products from China. Our health, our standard of living, and our sacred national independence are all at stake.    Fritz Hollings criticizes free trade, war in new book "We're in a trade war. China is winning," he said. "We're going out of business."    The Toyota You Don't Know The Race to the Bottom in the Auto Industry    Toyota Looking Into Allegations of Human Trafficking and Sweatshop Abuses The Toyota Prius may be the darling of environmentalists and Hollywood celebrities, but a new report by a self-described human rights advocacy group accuses Toyota of "human trafficking and sweatshop abuses" in the building of its vehicles.    Checking the Tag May Be The Most Patriotic Act of All If you believe in clean air standards, fair wages, employee benefits, good working conditions - buy American.    US steel industry wins trade case against China The commission ruling means penalty tariffs ranging from 99 percent to 701 percent will be imposed on Chinese imports of circular welded pipe, a form of pipe used in a variety of construction jobs, such as home plumbing and sprinkler systems.    Italians buy county medical device firm In an all-cash deal, an Italian lamp maker said today it will buy medical device materials engineering and manufacturer Memry Corp. for $77.7 million.    Boeing wins key round in Air Force tanker protest Congressional investigators have upheld Boeing's protest of a $35 billion Air Force tanker contract awarded to Northrop Grumman Corp. and Airbus parent European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., and recommended that the service hold a new competition.    Engineer is first sentenced for economic espionage An engineer who admitted he tried to sell fighter-pilot training software to the Chinese Navy was sentenced Wednesday to 24 months in federal prison, in the first sentencing for a newly defined intellectual property crime.    China's Secret War Cyber warfare officially arrived on Capitol Hill last week. Two Republican congressmen, Rep. Frank Wolf of Virginia and Rep. Christopher Smith of New Jersey, went public last Wednesday with the news that in 2006 and 2007 their office computer networks had been breached by Chinese hackers.    Free Trade in Food Is `On the Ropes' Amid Shortages, Price Rise "The idea of trade liberalization was that you could count on global markets, but they're not proving reliable," said David Orden, a fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington.    Trade envoys told 'go like hell', reckoning nears The United States is hosting the make-or-break industry talks with Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan and South Africa.    Obama Goes Soft on Free Trade If Obama does not change his tune, he's likely to get burned in Ohio, Wisconsin and other states where primary surveys showed that the vast majority of Democratic, Republican and independent voters felt that the radically pro-corporate free trade policies of the Clinton and Bush years had harmed rather than helped America.    Exclusive: The Sham Dialogue with China That Ford will get to sell 30,000 U.S.-made cars in China next year is hardly a drop in the bucket.    South Korea unions may strike over beef imports, more talks set The agreement to resume the imports, suspended in 2003 after a mad cow case, was reached in April. But it has not gone into force due to the storm of Internet-fuelled protests, which caught Lee's government by surprise.    Rising costs affect China, plus firms that import Rising factory wages, shipping costs and exchange rates are all adding to the price tags of Chinese products - and the costs of U.S. companies that have moved their production and supply lines to China.    High Cost of Cargo Shipping Could "Reverse Globalisation," Report Says Rising international shipping costs driven by high oil prices could effectively wipe out decades' worth of trade liberalisation, according to new research from CIBC World Markets.    One man says buy American when you buy a grill Walt Groll owns Starlight BBQs in North Phoenix. He says there are a couple points to keep in mind. First, if you want quality and longevity in a product, don't buy imports.    Budweiser waves the flag to foil raiders By last night more than 27,000 had heeded the call, signing an online petition to stop the takeover of the brewer of Budweiser. Only days after launching its $46 billion unsolicited bid for Anheuser, Belgian/Brazilian rival Inbev is facing its first big obstacle: American politics in an election year.    A defect on tires has links to China Poisonous pet food. Lead paint on children's toys. The latest potentially defective Chinese import to hit American shores: tire-valve stems, the rubber shafts that allow motorists to fill their tires with air.    Distributor recalls 6 million Chinese-made tire valve stems Tech International, a Johnstown, Ohio-based distributor of the Chinese-made parts, announced a recall of 6 million TR413 model valve stems, offering free replacements and to pay for any tire damage caused by the defective part, according to a June 2 letter made public on NHTSA's Web site. But Tech International doesn't know who actually owns tires with the recalled tire valve stems and said it believes just 8,600 of the stems -- or less than 1 percent -- are defective. The valves are manufactured by Shanghai Baolong Industries Co.    Changes in China could mean more North American jobs, Home Depot chief says The rising value of the Chinese yuan, higher pay for Chinese workers and $136-a-barrel oil may mean more factory jobs in North America, the Home Depot chief executive, Frank Blake, says.    China clearly overtakes U.S. as leading emitter of climate-warming gases The increasing emissions from China - up 8 percent in the past year - accounted for two-thirds of the growth in global greenhouse gas emissions in 2007, the study found.    One of Mexico's wealthiest to testify in mining case in US federal court in Brownsville One of Mexico's richest men and the alleged "mastermind" of a deal that Asarco LLC attorneys say stripped the Arizona-based mining company of its most valuable asset is expected to testify Tuesday as a four-week trial in federal court enters its final days.    European Union Threatens Tariffs on U.S. Biodiesel The European Union threatened to impose tariffs on biodiesel from the U.S., saying EU producers may be victims of American subsidies and price undercutting.    Senator Brown Calls for FDA Evaluation of U.S. Pharmaceutical Company Outsourcing and Impact on Drug Safety Brown requested that Pfizer report to the Senate HELP Committee how much Pfizer saves each year from outsourcing as well as on the frequency and nature of its outsourcing to countries with less stringent drug oversight standards.    Free Trade Agreements Have Hurt Mid-Willamette Region, Residents Say The Mid-Willamette Assembly on Free Trade and Job Loss will feature testimony by displaced workers who say trade policies like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) cost them their jobs and that a new model for international trade is needed to improve the economy.    Cargo has L.A. traffic at a crawl Frank Schiavone fumed inside his Acura MDX, stuck behind the gates of a railroad crossing in downtown Riverside. Schiavone, a Riverside councilman, wondered how late he would be for an appointment at City Hall as he stared at the freight cars double-stacked with shipping containers.    Pilates and Yoga Clothing Line Designer Strengthens Inventory with New USA-Made Products "I wanted to do something important and meaningful for our environment and economy," said Douglass. "Adding a single made-in-USA product may not seem like a big leap to others, but the reality is, this helps me do my part to grow a socially responsible economy in the United States."    'US Is Not a Model for Korea'-Free Trade Cho added that the financial capitalism of the United States didn't contribute to sound development of the economy though it returned huge profits to Wall Street. "The real income of the low-income class has been at a standstill since the end of 1970s, and the middle class, which the United States boasted of, is going downhill."    Flag Day patriotism stirs 'Buy American' measure Imports of American flags from foreign countries totaled $4.7 million last year, including $4.3 million from China, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.    Critics of the Bud Buyout Are Frothing InBev could be in unfriendly territory. "The heartland of America doesn't take to foreign ownership easily," says Scott Goodson, founder and chief executive of StrawberryFrog, a branding firm in New York that used to handle Heineken's (HEIN.AS) worldwide marketing strategy.    Hyundai, Kia Workers to Vote on Strike over U.S. Beef Imports South Korea's two largest carmakers, will vote this week on whether to join a proposed industry-wide strike against the government's decision to resume imports of U.S. beef, according to their umbrella labor group Tuesday.    France, China Make Gains On U.S. Woes In the last week, two French companies have cashed in on the weak dollar and acquired American companies. China is hoping to do the same later this month.    Shareholder files suit against Anheuser-Busch A shareholder lawsuit has been filed against Budweiser maker Anheuser-Busch Cos Inc and its board of directors, claiming they failed to properly consider signs of interest in a possible takeover by Belgian brewer InBev NV    St. Louis fears loss of Budweiser brewer as InBev bid looms The editorial team at the St Louis Post spoke for many locals this week in voicing its alarm at reports that InBev, the world's biggest brewer, was preparing a bid for its US rival.    U.S. shrimpers warn of risks with imports The images and stories are not pleasant: shrimp raised overseas, en masse in stagnant ponds pumped full of antibiotics so the shellfish won't die from their own filth.    Globalization Exposes Food Supply To Unsanitary Practices As the United States continues to import increasingly more of its food from developing nations, we are putting ourselves at greater risk of foodborne disease because many of these countries do not have the same sanitary standards for production, especially in the case of seafood and fresh produce, say scientists June 2 at the 108th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Boston.    Bush Administration Prioritizes Trade Over Food Safety A Bush Administration interagency working group is pushing a flawed import food safety system that prioritizes trade considerations over public health, finds a new report by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP).    Braley bill requires feds to buy American flags made in U.S. If the federal government is going to buy a United States flag, shouldn't it be made here in America?    U.S. Company Offers Alternative to Chinese-Made Stands Holding the American Flag and Military Colors The American Flag is being supported and displayed all around the USA and the world in plastic sand-filled Chinese flag stands.    Chinese Poisons in Your Medicine Cabinet "Chinese Counterfeits and American Failures," the title of a congressional hearing on April 29, laid bare shocking problem.    Race to the bottom: Mexico lowers wages to snare international auto production Mexican auto unions are taking a cue from U.S. labor leaders by offering two-tier hiring schemes and salary cuts that bring already low wages down to near-Chinese levels.    BAMW: Buy American online, and say bye-bye big box Supporting smaller American companies like these that employ American workers will go a long way to ensure that not only are jobs plentiful, but also to avoid losing entire American industries like the ailing textile industry.    Keep Anheuser-Busch American America's last major brewer under threat of foreign takeover!    Be Patriotic, Vote America When You Shop After all the import problems associated with loose safety standards, etc., for Chinese and other foreign products, Americans are more aware of the fact that we have lost much of our manufacturing base and hundreds of thousands of American-worker jobs.    Park Your Money With GM - Barron's Sales in China, Russia and Latin America are rising -- GM posted a $1B international profit in Q1 (vs. a $611M domestic loss). It's cars are back in vogue too, winning accolades and a bunch of media and industry awards over the last year for its Malibu and Cadillac CTS.    Lawmaker wins spot on national TV opposing NAFTA super highway CNN commentator Lou Dobbs also believes this is a threat to national sovereignty and recently featured Morrison on his nationally televised program.    India's Sterlite to buy US copper miner Asarco assets The U.S. copper mining company Asarco LLC will sell virtually all its operating assets to Sterlite Industries (India) Limited for $2.6 billion in cash.    US hits China steel pipe with 700-percent duty The U.S. Commerce Department said Friday it has set a combined import duty of around 700 percent on a major Chinese steel pipe producer to offset unfair pricing practices, and combined duties of more than 106 percent on many other Chinese manufacturers and exporters.    Pipe companies win a battle, but 'D-Day' is June 20 In its final decision, the U.S. Commerce Department ruled that Chinese pipe producers were dumping their products on American shores at rates ranging from 69.20 to 85.55 percent. The ruling means Chinese producers were selling pipe below the cost it took to produce products.    Feingold presses India to lower Harley motorcycle tariffs "The high tariff placed on Harley-Davidson is patently unfair, especially since there are no heavyweight motorcycles manufactured in India," Feingold said in a statement Friday.    Is 'Made in USA' Backlash Next? "Let's boycott U.S.-made products," read one posting Friday on a popular Korean Internet portal.    Get ready to pay more for everyday items, especially imported ones "Exploding transport costs may soon remove the single most important brake on inflation over the last decade - wage arbitrage with China," says Jeff Rubin, Chief Economist and Chief Strategist at CIBC World Markets. "Not that Chinese manufacturing wages won't still warrant arbitrage. But in today's world of triple-digit oil prices, distance costs money."    Bill would require ships to burn cleaner fuel in US ports Republicans said the U.S. could be put at an economic disadvantage if it has tighter pollution rules for its ports than other countries. Some 90 percent of emissions come from foreign-flagged ships, according to Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA).    Kids Station recalls 1 million toy cell phones The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said the hinge cover on the Chinese-made toys can detach from the phone, posing a choking hazard to young children.    Container Cranes, Delivered Isn't it nice of China to send us more cranes so we can unload more of their imports?    Import inquiry An allegation that private U.S. laboratories have selectively withheld test results on imported food from the federal Food and Drug Administration reveals what seems like a serious flaw in the nation's food safety network.    Buy local initiatives gain ground An offshoot of the American Independent Business Alliance in Montana, Buy Local in Kalamazoo includes a variety of local businesses that have banded together to form a not-for-profit coalition aimed at increasing use of locally owned businesses, said leader Gloria Tiller, owner of Kazoo Books.    Made in America: the kazoo The name of the place says it all: The Original Kazoo Co. And, boy, do its owners mean original.    Mentos Gum Bursts Into the U.S. The Erlanger, Ky.-based division of Italy's Perfetti Van Melle tried in 2003 with Mentos NewCharge. The mint gum has since been discontinued.    Suspicions deepen on food labs A congressional committee is investigating whether some private U.S. laboratories were instructed to withhold samples of tainted food so that importers could get their goods into the United States.    Textile Executive Cites Major Problems With US Trade Policies James R. Copeland, chairman, Copeland Fabrics, said the United States runs trade deficits in products where it normally should have a comparative advantage because of the way foreign governments intervene with subsidies, manipulated currencies, tax breaks and other policies to make their industries competitive.    Chinese electric car headed for U.S. The Miles XS500 will be the first highway-speed car made in China on sale in the U.S.    US-Europe chicken trade dispute seen lingering A trade dispute over exporting U.S. chicken to Europe is unlikely to be resolved soon even though Brussels has recommended lifting an 11-year ban, U.S. agriculture and chicken industry sources said on Wednesday.    U.S. in Difficult Position Over Japan's Rice Plan Only a small amount of the imported rice has been sold to Japanese consumers, allowing rice prices in Japan to remain four times higher than the world average.    Dulcinea Media Check out the online American-made toy store!    Bush: U.S. 'turning inward,' world wary President Bush, who talks to a lot of world leaders, says they are "amazed and, two, very concerned that the United States is turning inward."    Oklahoma Recalls Bill That Would Have Facilitated NAFTA Superhighway Some have argued that Bill 1507 would have allowed for the creation of foreign owned smart ports. This would have allowed for imported goods to pass through the U.S./Mexican border without going through customs until Oklahoma.    Buying American is Back in Style An influx of dangerous imports from abroad combined with newfound patriotism are inspiring consumers to buy American.    What So-Called "Free Trade" Means in China Land This represents enriching China on the back of middle- and lower-class, i.e. those Western workers who will never have the skills to shift magically into a knowledge-based worker.    Severstal Buying American Esmark Severstal intends to buy the American company Esmark, owner of Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel, for $668 million, not counting its debt. That is the same amount offered by Severstal's competitor, the Indian company Essar, which was unable to buy Esmark because of union opposition after it could not guarantee the preservation of jobs at the plant.    Ohio's Vets Might Not Receive American Products An internal document from a former employee of Cen-Tex Dental Lab in Waco, Texas found that Cen Tex employees shipped work to China and passed the work off as their own.    Senator wants only American-made flags sold in country Retailers that sell U.S. or Ohio flags made in other countries would face possible jail time and fines, under legislation proposed by one state lawmaker.    The Rise of China and America's Day of Reckoning Now it is Chinese goods that are sold in markets once dominated by the U.S. Just a year and a half ago, China surpassed the U.S. to become the world's second-largest exporter. It was only a short five years ago that America exported more than double the amount of China. And if current trends continue, in another decade China will surpass the United States as the world's largest economy.    Disney recalls Chinese-made sleeping bags, magic wands over lead paint Thousands of sleeping bags and magic wands contaminated by excessive levels of lead paint are being recalled by Walt Disney, federal inspectors said today.    Simmermaker Quoted on MSNBC.COM "People can complain, well, 97 percent of the clothes we buy in the United States are imported. Well, I know where to find the 3 percent," said Roger Simmermaker, who runs the "How Americans Can Buy American" Web site and has a how-to book by the same name. "Awareness is the key."    BAMW: Being red, white, and blue while going green For patriotic-minded consumers who want to buy American products that save energy and preserve precious natural resources at the same time, patronizing Preserve products is a good place to start.    High gas prices our own fault We all need to ask, "Where is this made?" If not in the United States, say "I'm not buying." It will help to bring companies back to this country. If they don't come back, it's an opportunity for new companies.    U.S. imposes duties on Chinese, German paper producers Some Chinese producers of lightweight thermal paper face duties of nearly 133 percent imposed by the U.S. Department of Commerce because the agency found evidence that the firms exported the products into the country at prices below fair value.    Seafood imports: worries growing In March, inspectors checking Chinese seafood arriving at U.S. ports made some unsettling discoveries: fish infected with salmonella in Seattle and Baltimore, and shrimp with banned veterinary drugs in Florida. Meanwhile, a shipment intercepted in Los Angeles on March 19 labeled "channel catfish" wasn't catfish at all, although records don't say what it was.    EU Extends Chinese-Shoe Duty to Macau, Cites Cheating (Update1) The European Union extended to Macau a tariff on shoes from China, saying Chinese exporters use the former Portuguese colony to evade the levy and undercut EU producers in countries such as Italy.    Colombian Workers to Join U.S. Workers in Opposing the Colombia FTA Colombian union leaders and workers will join Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Rep. Michael Michaud, D-Maine, Communication Workers of America president Larry Cohen, and UNITE HERE general president Bruce Raynor for a news conference on Wednesday, May 14, at 11:00 a.m. ET, to highlight their opposition to the pending Colombia Free Trade Agreement.    'Made in USA' gaining favor If you've been in the business for a while, here's something I bet you haven't heard in some time: Made in America. But based on a recent series of events, that appears to be changing.    Buy American buses I read with great disappointment that the Utah Transit Authority is buying buses from Belgium    New York's Gray Lady: Times Editors and Staff May See New Era of Cloak and Dagger United States Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien stated in a press release, "Mr. Chung is accused of stealing restricted technology that had been developed over many years by engineers who were sworn to protect their work product because it represented trade secrets. Disclosure of this information to outside entities like the PRC would compromise our national security."    Hoekstra hears pleas for fair trade with China Andrew Jensen, of die maker UEI Incorporated in Grand Rapids, said that to sell a $100,000 die in China, his company must pay about $30,000 in tariffs. But turn the tables and a Chinese company would incur only about $3,000 in tariffs selling the same die here.    Honda FourTrax Foreman ATVs recalled The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall Friday of Honda Motor Co. all-terrain vehicles due to loss of steering control. Riders could risk injury or death, the statement said.    Bottle warmers recalled About 5,000 deluxe bottle and food warmers, manufactured in China by Munchkin Inc., pulled back because they can overheat, posing a risk of fire.    Lipinski Rips Pollutants And Biz in China Chicagoland has been particularly hard hit by unfair Chinese competition, losing over 100,000 manufacturing jobs in the past decade. The pollution in China is so bad that several Olympic athletes have expressed concern for their health in the run up to the Beijing Olympics this summer.    BAMW: A gift for Mom can be a gift for the U.S. economy, too This Mother's Day there are patriotic ways to thank Mom for all the times she's on the go and selflessly doing things for other family members or loved ones.    UK Press Release: American Cars Offer Great Value for Money Compared to Their European Counterparts. With a Weak Dollar, Now is the Time to Buy American It's too bad our press does not tout our American cars like the UK.    Trade Deficits: The Cause of Our Economic Troubles Many of the most serious economic problems facing the U.S. today are the result of the trade deficits of the past two and a half decades which exploded from $96.2 billion in 1996 to $708 billion in 2007, equivalent to the output (value-added) of 6.4 million industrial workers.    3Com hitches its wagon to China The telecommunications equipment maker 3Com is based in Marlborough, Massachusetts. But the announcement that its new chief executive will be based in Hong Kong leaves no doubt the firm's future is in China.    U.S. lawmakers seek more foreign drug plant checks One proposal would require drugmakers to pay fees to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to boost capacity to check overseas manufacturing sites in an effort to keep counterfeit or contaminated drugs from reaching the U.S. market.    Indian steelmaker to buy US firm Indian steel producer Essar Steel is to buy American steel firm Esmark in a $778 million deal.    BAMW: American-Made Options for Washers and Dryers Staber Industries has been family owned and operated since 1976 when they began re-manufacturing laundry equipment from American manufacturers like GE, Maytag and Whirlpool.    Bush Reaffirms North American Union Agenda At Leaders' Summit President Bush yesterday reaffirmed a commitment to progress the much maligned Security and Prosperity Partnership agenda, amid intensified opposition from commentators and critics concerned that the plan constitutes an undermining of national sovereignty.    Alliance for American Manufacturing blames unfair trade practices for drop When AAM executive director Scott Paul and his wife were looking for a crib for soon-to-be born twins, product recalls and lead paint problem with China-made goods convinced them to look elsewhere. The only places in North America he could find that made cribs were Amish craftsmen and a Canadian company.    La-Z-Boy plant to close; town shocked 630 will lose their jobs when furniture maker shifts operations to Mexico.    U.S. Identifies Tainted Heparin in 11 Countries A contaminated blood thinner from China has been found in drug supplies in 11 countries, and federal officials said Monday they had discovered a clear link between the contaminant and severe reactions now associated with 81 deaths in the United States.    FDA says new evidence links heparin problems to China Food and Drug Administration officials said Monday they have new evidence that links hundreds of serious adverse reactions and scores of deaths among patients given the blood thinner heparin to a man-made contaminant introduced during production in China.    America's Fastest Dying Industries According to the Labor Department, apparel manufacturers are expected to decrease by 54 percent while their output falls more than 43 percent between 2006 and 2016. Jobs in the ailing printing business will drop by 22 percent during the next decade, with output falling by 12 percent.    How to stop China from stealing our jobs On April 18, China won another battle in its one-sided trade war against the United States when America's last remaining motorcycle maker, Harley-Davidson, announced plans to lay off 730 workers. These workers will join the approximately 2.3 million Americans who have already lost their good-paying manufacturing jobs to the Chinese strategy of selling to the United States without buying from us.    BAMW: It's Not a New Lamp, It's an Investment in America Direct competition through free trade with third world countries that pay pennies-on-the-hour wages can only destine us to a future of lower wages and reduced consumption.    BAMW: Spring for American-Made Goods this Spring If you're sprucing up your home to match the sights and sounds of the season, there are certain ways you can buy American and spruce up the balance sheets of American companies employing American workers at the same time.    We trust strangers with our financial future The challenge for American corporations is to find a way to pay people $15 to $20 an hour and charge the same price as a corporation in a country that pays maybe $1 or $2 per hour. Sound impossible? You're right, it is impossible.    Patriotism, Protection and Prosperity After handing the Red Coats a one-way ticket across the pond, the Founders capitalized on their industrial independence by creating an economic system predicated on the commonsense principles of protection and preservation of domestic industry, especially manufacturing.    More Honduran cantaloupes recalled The FDA previously issued an import alert concerning cantaloupes supplied by Agropecuaria Montelibano, a Honduran grower and packer, since fruit from that company appears to be associated with a U.S. and Canadian Salmonella outbreak.    America's Coming Garage Sale The upside to greater foreign investment in the U.S. will be the strengthening of the dollar and the resurrection of stock and property prices. The downside is that the foreign business community -- especially in Asia -- will own larger swaths of the U.S. economy. And it is these foreign buyers who will benefit from the increases in the value of assets and the dollar.    BAMW: 'Free trade' that isn't free 'Neither tariffs nor trade protection is the problem' American tariffs and trade protection are not the problem. Lack of adequate tariffs to level the playing field by mindless faith in free trade and free markets followed by Federal Reserve intervention which can lead to catastrophes like the Great Depression is the problem.    A Closer Look at Domestic-Parts Content By most measures, Detroit automakers come out ahead. The sales-weighted content for GM and Ford close to 80 percent, with Chrysler at 74 percent. In comparison, Honda's sales-weighted content is 51 percent, with Nissan at 46 percent and Toyota at 40 percent.    The Cars.com American-Made Index While Ford and GM continue their reign on the American-Made Index, the long-running No. 2 car, the Toyota Camry, has fallen completely off the list and, just like last time, Chrysler is still missing from the Index.    Pack your pocketbook with patriotism Citing the belief once expressed by Thomas Jefferson, that, "I have come to a resolution myself, as I hope every good citizen will, never again to purchase any article of foreign manufacture which can be had of American make, be the difference of price what it may," the author explains how to buy appliances, electronics, clothing and dozens of other items, still made in America.    BAMW: How to Buy an American Bicycle If that outdoors time includes cycling and you want to buy American, you're going to have to think outside the big-box and take a road less traveled to get an American-made bicycle.    Trade, Economy Becoming Focus of Pa. Primary "The Democratic and Republican presidential candidates remain clueless about the nation's biggest trade challenges, heatedly debating NAFTA and ignoring the far greater damage inflicted by China's mercantilism," said Alan Tonelson, a Research Fellow at the U.S. Business and Industry Council.    Buying American finally made easy Guide lists thousands of manufacturers who still make it in USA.    To Die for NAFTA McCain admits to knowing almost nothing about economics and is now being advised by my old friend Jack Kemp. In a Wall Street Journal essay bemoaning my views, Kemp concedes, "I'm on the advisory board of Toyota North America and now drive a hybrid Lexus."    Boeing to challenge Air Force decision on tanker contract "Our team has taken a very close look at the tanker decision and found serious flaws in the process that we believe warrant appeal," said Boeing Chief Executive James McNerney.    Orlando-area agencies shun hybrid vehicles Many governments - Orlando is a prime example - will buy only American-made cars, which often limits selections to vehicles that consume more gas.    Denison company uses all American-made materials Mick Greenway says his cargo nets are more durable than the competition and definitely a lot easier to manage. The shock cord Greenway purchases from a mill in Minnesota. The fasteners are manufactured in Oklahoma. He explained it was important for him to use only materials made in America.    Polaris Rolls Out New Snowmobile Line-up The Victory motorcycle division was established in 1998 representing the first all-new American-made motorcycle from a major company in nearly 60 years. Polaris also enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships.    BAMW: American-Made Eyewear, No Sweat Apparel, and American Tuna The Original Pilot Sunglass has been a favorite of U.S. military pilots for over 40 years. These sunglasses are American made, performance tested and have been issued to millions of U.S. soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen since 1958...    Palm Bay policy: Buy local, buy American Roger Simmermaker, an Orlando resident and author of "How Americans Can Buy American," told the council that it would work to the city's advantage to have a "buy local" policy. "There's not a lot of municipalities out there doing what (you're) doing," he said. "The Constitution says we're to form a more perfect union, not a more perfect global economy."    BAMW: Female Footwear, Union-Made Apparel, and American-Made Decorative Carolers & Figures Some loyal readers have been asking "where's the footwear for us females?"    Another American Bank Falls Into Foreign Hands North Carolina-based RBC Centura Banks, which is a subsidiary of Toronto-based Royal Bank of Canada, will brand Alabama National's 10 subsidiaries and 103 branch locations -- including Florida Choice Bank located in Central Florida -- as RBC Bank starting in April.    Growing Foreign Government Investments May Threaten U.S. National Security "Governments are motivated by a broader range of factors than commercial investors," said Senator Jim Webb (D-VA). "While foreign governments may invest money in our country to make a profit, they may also do so in order to further their foreign policy ambitions, to acquire national security assets, or to purchase a stake in strategic industries."    Private Sector: How to avoid recession and expand the economy As Lee Iacocca writes, "We worship at the altar of free trade, and it's killing us. At the very least, it's time we started charging admission to the American market. And the price of a ticket has to be a little fairness and reciprocity."    Free Trade and that Giant Sucking Sound There are few things that are more repugnant, intellectually and morally, than a person with secure employment in a well-paying job (with health benefits and a pension plan) nonchalantly dismissing the anxieties of workers who become unemployed, or who are under the threat of becoming unemployed, due to the effects of globalization.    BAMW: Toys, Terror-Free Oil, Art, Pillow Cases, Politics, and Glenn Beck In case you thought our problems with dangerous Chinese imports was over, we now learn that we can't even buy Valentine's Day candy without surprises of the wrong kind.    Retailers impose new toy safety rules After facing recall after recall of millions of Chinese-made items, the nation's biggest toy sellers are imposing stricter measures on their suppliers - including tougher standards for lead content - to get ahead of expected new federal legislation.    Toy makers tweak lines to offset rising import costs Next holiday, that toy that was supposed to talk for a minute will talk for 40 seconds, and that portable electronic quiz game will ask fewer questions. Facing higher costs in China, the nation's toy makers are tweaking their new product lines and scaling back their offerings.    Importer recalls Valentine's Day lollipops Voluntary recall comes after pieces of metal found in at least two Pokemon lollipops imported from China.    FDA never inspected China maker of Baxter's heparin U.S. regulators have never inspected the Chinese plant that makes Baxter International's heparin, regulators disclosed a day after Baxter halted sales of some versions after four patients died and hundreds became ill.    BAMW: Great American Apparel and Great American Work Boots! All American Clothing Co. is fast becoming one of the most well known sources of USA-made jeans. Their jeans use only USA-made raw materials and are cut and sewn in the USA.    Patriot Corporation of America Act The Senate's "Patriot Employers" version would give a 1 percent tax credit on taxable income for companies that maintain or increase their U.S. employment in relation to their overseas workers. They must also keep their corporate headquarters in the U.S.    Buy American to help our economy How are we going to grow our economy when we don't buy products made or built in America?    Senator Pushes 'Buy American' Logo In Tax Rebate If you're planning on rushing out to Best Buy or Target to stimulate the economy and blow your tax rebate check this spring, Sen. Byron Dorgan is hoping you'll think twice. Instead of spending the money on a TV made in Korea or clothing made in China, the North Dakota Democrat is pushing for taxpayers to use their rebate to buy American. In fact, Dorgan has offered an amendment to the Senate economic stimulus bill that would require millions of rebate checks to have the slogan "Support Our Economy - Buy American."    America for sale It's not just Wall Street bailouts. Foreign ownership of U.S. assets is accelerating - and that's a worrisome trend.    New US Army action figures made in China The US Army is now making action figures out of real soldiers from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Army says, "What's the big deal? 80 percent of the toys sold in the US are made in China."    Total Recal Products recalled from Jan. 29-Feb. 5 include goods from Korea, Mexico, and of course China.    Mattel CEO sees positive 2008, cost concerns Mattel recalled over 21 million Chinese-made toys worldwide in 2007 due to excessive levels of lead paint and other unsafe components, stoking fears of a loss in consumer confidence.    China's paradox; Bigger economic clout will mean it's more dependent on Western approval There's a joke making the rounds these days that officials sent a shipment of lead back to China. Why? Because it had too many toys in it.    BAMW: Supporting American-Made Apparel, Display Tables, Games & Toys, and the Second Amendment Buying American is no sweat either, because all Shivers Wear is made in USA.    BAMW: American-Made Leather Products, Furniture, Pet Supplies and Pool Tables! Although their name suggests they are from Key West they are actually located in Daytona Beach, Florida, where all their products are made.    Orlando Man Says: Buy American He's urging money from the economic stimulus plan be spent on made in the U.S. products or "We're going to squander all the benefits from that economic stimulus package."    Sock industry suffers more; trade sanctions against Honduras expected A deluge of cheaper sock imports from Honduras has hurt the domestic industry enough to warrant new trade sanctions, the federal government announced Friday. The government said the U.S. imported 27.3 million dozen pairs of cotton socks from Honduras in the first 11 months of 2007, an increase of 99 percent over the same period the year before.    Made in America? Still, growing numbers of Americans have become tired of shoddy and sometimes dangerous imports. They're taking time to find and buy domestic substitutes, even if those products cost more, said Roger Simmermaker, an Orlando-based author who has been crusading against outsourcing for more than a decade.    Blue-Collar Jobs Disappear, Taking Families' Way of Life Along Slammed by the continued decline in the automobile and steel businesses, Ohio never recovered from the recession of 2001-2, and blue-collar families who had made it partway up the economic ladder find themselves slipping back, with chaotic effects on families and dreams.    Study: American-Made Still Matters According to a recent study, Americans still look to support their own economy when it comes to vehicle-buying decisions. Research from the Level Field Institute indicated that 79 percent of the 715 nationwide "likely car buyers" surveyed were more apt to buy a vehicle if it was American-made.    Layoffs expected at sock plant in Alamance Since Jan. 1, 2006, the state's sock mills have laid off more than 3,600 employees, industry representatives say. Many of those losses have been blamed on the Central America Free Trade Agreement, which removed tariffs from all sock imports from that region beginning in April 2006.    Trouble With Trade by Paul Krugman A committed free trader admits flaws in free trade    Many problems from 'free trade' One of Santa's biggest surprises this Christmas has been the storm over unsafe toys for children. Should we have been so surprised?    Iowa Caucuses: The Good Guys Are Winning on Trade So-called "free trade" agreements start out from the wrong premise: that trade agreements should be primarily about protecting investment and capital and, then, only as an afterthought, do the agreements wrestle with how workers and the environment should be treated.    Trade policy comes under the spotlight The most bellicose rhetoric has come from John Edwards, the third-placed Democrat whom polls have shown surging back into contention ahead of tomorrow's Iowa caucuses. He has called for "trade without trade-offs" that puts the interests of "regular families" ahead of multinational corporations.    Select few see benefits of free trade: report The large Canadian-based corporations and their CEOs that led the campaign for North American free trade are the major beneficiaries of the agreements, while their employees and Canadian workers in general have been the victims, an economic think-tank said yesterday.    Terror-Free Oil! Want to buy American gasoline from American oil companies? See this list and find out where to fill up and where not to!    Orlando man's message: Buy made-in-U.S. products We are, Simmermaker says, supporting companies that "employ Chinese by the millions, sending money to people who don't pay taxes to America, or contribute to our Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid -- this is why it's so important to buy American-made products from American-owned companies."    Christmas ... Made in China So Santa, what I want next year is a new president. I want one who will bring jobs back to the United States.    Campbell Soup selling Godiva to Turkish company Campbell Soup Co. said on Thursday it agreed to sell its Godiva Chocolatier business for $850 million to Yildiz Holding A.S. Yildiz is the owner of the Ulker ULKER.IS Group, a diversified food company based in Istanbul, Turkey.    Teamsters to Leaflet at United Airlines Terminals During Busy Travel Day They will tell air travelers that United Airlines outsources all heavy maintenance of its Boeing 747s and 777s to South Korea and China. In the Beijing repair facility, only five of 2,179 mechanics are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. United now wants to sell its San Francisco maintenance facility.    Local Man Leads Buyers To U.S.-Made Toys "The polls have shown that especially with these China recalls that have happened recently that people are more aware of buying American. Some polls have even shown Americans are willing to pay even more money for an American-made product whether it is out of safety, patriotism or whatever," said Simmermaker.    Free trade finding more resistance A poll conducted last month by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press showed that 44 percent of S.C. Democrats surveyed said free-trade agreements were a bad thing -- roughly the same figure as four years ago. On the other side of the political spectrum, a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll in October showed that 60 percent of Republicans agreed that free trade has been bad for the country.    China-Made Face Paint Found to Be Toxic Two Chinese-made toy makeup sets seized in Hong Kong contained high levels of lead, chromium and barium, the local government said Wednesday.    Groups Release Guide to Toxins in Toys Tests on more than 1,200 children's products, most of them still on store shelves, found that 35 percent contain lead - many with levels far above the federal recall standard used for lead paint.    M&M looks for bargain basement buys in US Helped by a booming economy at home, Anand Mahindra, chief of India's $6 billion Mahindra Group, intends to use the weak US dollar to buy manufacturing plants in "bargain basement" America.    Keep it `Made in Carolinas' Voters must make politicians take a stand on U.S. manufacturing    BAMW: American Hero Companies Next time you hear about a U.S. factory about to close and move overseas, check the price tag of that product currently made by the domestic factory, and then check it again once that product begins to be sourced offshore. You might be surprised that there is little, if any, price difference...    America's Largest Bank Turns to Abu Dhabi Wealth Fund: The largest state of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, now ranks as the largest shareholder for Citigroup Inc.    Philips to Buy Genlyte for $2.7B Louisville, Ky.-based Genlyte makes fixtures for lights used mostly by companies.    Sweatshop Crucifixes Pulled from Saint Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity Church While it was an excellent first step for Saint Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity Church to pull the sweatshop crucifixes from their gift shops, their responsibility does not end there.    Slaughter asks Mattel to open plant here Rep. Louise Slaughter thinks she knows how Mattel can bounce back from the bad publicity of its toy recalls: Have Fisher-Price start building toys again in Western New York.    Seeking Safer Toys? Buy American is Back in Vogue Parents looking to fill their children's holiday wish have more to worry about that whether Johnny or Susie was naughty or nice.    Goldman Sachs: Indian/Chinese Institutions Could Buy American Banks I never thought I would see this in my lifetime but emerging market financial institutions from India or China may be able to buy out American banks due to the fallout from mortgage crisis, according to the latest Goldman Sachs report.    BAMW: Long-Awaited Third Edition Almost Here! The long-awaited third edition of How Americans Can Buy American: The Power of Consumer Patriotism will be available soon for $18.95. This new and updated book will be printed in early December, 2007.    What is Made in America? "Everything I'm wearing right now, every single thing I wear every day is made in America. If I can do it, everyone can do it," said author Roger Simmermaker. He wrote the book, "How Americans Can Buy American."    Apple drinks a favorite during the chill of the season Martinelli's (www.martinellis.com) is one nationally recognized company that sells only USA grown apple juice and cider.    BAMW: So Chrysler Is (Mostly) American Again - Now What? In any case, American car buyers who buy from Chrysler because they want to do the patriotic thing and save an American icon may destroy one or two others in the process.    Recent recalls of foreign-made toys have consumers looking for made-in-U.S.A label Roger Simmermaker -- the author of "How Americans Can Buy American: The Power of Consumer Patriotism" -- said there are three ways to strengthen the movement. "Let the companies and our representatives know about the issue, buy American where we can, and raise tariffs on Chinese products," said Simmermaker, who also runs a Web site, howtobuyamerican.com.    Patriotic holiday shopping: How to buy American "What we can do is buy American made toys and other products where they're available," says Roger Simmermaker who runs a website on how to buy American.    Harkin remarks on Maytag closing According to a study by economists at Iowa State University, the average income in Jasper County in 2005 was $34,400 with Maytag jobs in the mix. Without the Maytag jobs, the average income will drop by nearly $5,000.    Edwards' attack on Peru deal shifts debate The Democratic presidential field tilted to the left over the weekend as John Edwards came out against the US free trade agreement with Peru.    U.S. recalls more Chinese-made toys; lead paint mars bobble heads The government said it was recalling 142,000 toy buckets decorated in a Halloween theme that have been sold by Family Dollar stores across the country.    Senators Call For 'Sweatshop-Free Barbie' "If you move production to Chinese factories that cut every possible corner to lower costs," said bill co-sponsor and North Dakota Democratic Senator Byron Dorgan at a Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing today, "You end up with young women worked to death in China and products that end up poisoning our kids here at home."    Bear Sterns/CITIC to invest $1B in each other, develop Chinese businesses Bear Stearns Cos. and CITIC Securities Co., a China-based securities services firm, agreed to invest $1 billion in each other and plan to form a strategic alliance that will share management expertise and technology to develop financial products and businesses in China.    Florida City Tries to Ban Chinese Products Palm Bay, Fla., is considering a ban of the purchase of products made in China. If it passes, the central Florida town would be the first in the nation to ban goods from one particular country.    Intel to start production at new $3 billion plant Intel plans to start production this week at a new $3 billion factory in Arizona that will be its first to mass-produce chips with circuits almost a third smaller than before.    Rising trade gap with China worries E.U. European Union officials are in a quandary over the multi-nation organisation's trade and economic relations with China in the context of the ever-widening trade imbalance in favour of China, currently growing at the rate of $15 million to $20 million per hour.    U.S. eases rules for five companies importing technology into China The Commerce Department said five Chinese firms had been granted "validated end-user" status as part of a program aimed at boosting U.S. trade with China.    USA : Duty-free LDC bill another China giveaway The legislation would give duty-free access to the U.S. market to imports of all products from virtually all Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) countries.    Free trade and the US election America, it seems, is experiencing a revival of protectionism.    More China Recalls Are You Surprised?    J.C. Penney, others recall 90,000 toys for lead J.C. Penney Co. recalled more than 70,000 imported children items, including Winnie the Pooh play sets that were made in China, because they contained unsafe amounts of lead paint.    Winnie the Pooh toys the latest recall out of China The U.S. Congress held hearings in September on lead in children's toys, which may cause brain damage if ingested, and the safety of Chinese imports.    U.S. slams Brazil, India, South Africa for refusing to open up goods markets Washington conceded ground on farm subsidies on condition that other countries accept Falconer's plan for cutting tariffs on farm products.    Wal-Mart defends low-cost imports as serving customers Chief Executive Lee Scott defended Wal-Mart's reliance on low-cost imports Wednesday against what he called emerging economic nationalism and said he would like to stock more American-made goods but that Wal-Mart's business model is based on offering the lowest price for consumers who cannot afford to spend more.    Palm Bay Mayor Wants to Ban All Products from China Here we go again: Razor recalling 20,000 electric scooters. Turns out the handlebars can fall off. That makes nearly 700,000 Chinese- made items recalled just this week.    Made in China: it's not just toys Martinelli's is one of a few companies that use only American-grown apples to make juice. That's something he boasts about given the recent problems with Chinese products.    Going, Going, Gone........America Our national highways and other infrastructures were bought and paid for by the citizen taxpayers of this country. Now, those same assets are being offered to the highest bidders, mostly foreign ones.    Toxic Pet Toys: A Doctor's Advice Are pet toys safe? Answer: Hot air aside, no one knows    eToys finds support for U.S.-made toys Online retailer eToys.com said Friday consumers surveyed are taking a buy-American approach to toy shopping.    U.S. recalls 635,000 Chinese-made products The US consumer safety agency announced Thursday the recall of more than 635,000 Chinese-made toys, key chains and other products that contain unsafe levels of lead or pose a choking hazard.    Government Agency Plays Catch-up The Department of Health and Human Services may send information about fuel-efficient American-made vehicles to its 67,000 workers after the agency was criticized for issuing a government newsletter that touted foreign automakers.    People Need Choice To Buy Products Made In America The American people should have the right to buy American goods manufactured and produced in the good old U.S.A. Making such a choice available will have many benefits, including the creation of more U.S. jobs, an increased tax base and most likely better quality products.    Selling American Brick by Brick Bain Capital LLC and Huawei Technologies Co., China's largest maker of equipment for telecommunications networks, hired five banks to arrange $1.2 billion of loans for their proposed buyout of 3Com Corp., said three people with direct knowledge of the deal.    Bills Targeting China's Trade Practices Draw Concern From Business Leaders More than 150 companies and business associations recently sent a letter to every House and Senate member, urging them to refrain from pursuing legislation that could hurt the U.S.-China trading relationship.    Clinton Turns on Clinton on Free Trade President Clinton is closing one policy disagreement wife Senator Clinton while keeping another alive, saying his wife is right to forbid the use of torture but wrong that his signature trade deal has "hurt" American workers.    Oklahoma lawmaker vows to halt Superhighway at state line The expressed intention of a state lawmaker in Oklahoma to halt any NAFTA Superhighway project at his state line has failed to draw a meaningful response from the White House.    Finding Safe Toys Many parents spooked by the recent recalls of millions of unsafe toys made in China are seeking American-made toys for their kids, but they're not always easy to find.    Once Again We're Driving What's Not Made Here The foreign companies against whom the Big Three compete are selling more and more cars that are not made at their factories in the United States, making labor costs here less important.    Series of Town Hall Meetings on Manufacturing Issues On September 25th in Manchester, New Hampshire, television and film star John Ratzenberger and the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) will kick off a series of "Keep it Made in America" town hall meetings.    Building consensus "Without manufacturing in the United States, we won't have a vibrant economy, we won't have a middle class and we won't be able to support our Army. If we don't teach our kids to build things, America will go by the wayside," John Ratzenberger said.    Ahead of the Bell: Food Imports Consumer advocates and grocery industry representatives are expected to ask Congress Tuesday to set aside more funding for food safety.    600,000 products included in toy recall Lead concerns have prompted more than 600,000 toys and children's necklaces that were made in China to be removed from store shelves, Thursday morning.    The Piper Is At The Door - And So Is The Landlord Now that all the enthusiastic partying over that 300 point increase in the Dow has ended, it's time to get back to reality as most of the world sees it.    Safe Children v. Free Trade Accords Lori Wallach, executive director of the D.C.-based advocacy group Public Citizen, testified to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee that while U.S. law enforcement is part of the problem the "root cause is U.S. trade policies."    Why 'Made in China' became a peril for American parents The recent rash of recalls of Chinese-manufactured toys decorated with lead paint is fueling queries to health professionals around the country as parents wonder about possible elevated lead levels in their children.    U.S. says 1 million Chinese-made cribs recalled Simplicity Inc, a supplier of baby furniture to Wal-Mart Stores Inc and other big retailers, is recalling about 1 million Chinese-made baby cribs that have been linked to at least two infant deaths, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Friday.    What the heck is made in America anymore? (And what is not made in America)    Keeping our food imports safe The administration's report avoids the third rail in import safety - the link between unsafe imports and slipshod trade policy," Senator Sherrod Brown said in a statement.    Patriotic purchasing Roger Simmermaker, author of "How Americans Can Buy American," said U.S.-made products aren't always more expensive. For example, a Chinese-made shoe from Nike would likely be in the same price range as an American-made shoe from New Balance, he said. But Nike would probably be making much more profit.    Hoover Celebrates 100 Years As North Canton, Ohio Plant To Close The plant is scheduled to close this month, ending its legacy as the city's largest private employer and putting 750 people out of work. Hoover now is owned by Techtronic Industries of Hong Kong.    Want to buy American tuna? Visit www.AmericanTuna.com! You can buy it at www.heritagefoodsusa.com if you don't have a store that sells it near you.    Most Want Import Restrictions Most Ohio voters support restrictions on imported products, even if it leads to higher prices for foreign consumer goods.    Importer to recall Chinese-made car fuses As many as 295,000 sets of cars fuses, each containing 120 fuses, are being recalled because some of them allow more electrical current through than they should, according to a newspaper report.    Mattel recalls more toys Mattel announced late yesterday it was recalling 800,000 toys, including 675,000 accessories for one of the company's biggest sellers, the Barbie doll.    Taiwan's Acer to Acquire Gateway Acer Inc. plans to acquire U.S. computer maker Gateway Inc. in a deal that will push the Taiwanese company past China's Lenovo Group as the world's third largest vendor of personal computers.    Chinese industrial expansion threatened by global warming A recent study suggested that manufacturing a computer in Guangdong caused three times the carbon emissions of manufacturing it in America, because of poorer environmental standards in China.    Five years later, COOL still open to debate In 2002 the U.S. Congress passed country of origin labeling (COOL) as part of the Farm Bill. Now, here it is five years later, and COOL has still not been implemented - although it is getting much closer.    Groups Sue to Block Mexican Trucks from U.S. Highways On Aug. 6, the Department of Transportation Inspector General released a report finding that the system used to monitor Mexico-domiciled carrier drivers with license convictions is not yet adequate.    Toys `R' Us Recalls 27,000 Crayon Boxes After Lead Is Found Toys `R' Us has recalled 27,000 crayon and paint box sets made in China because ink on the wooden cases contains lead.    'Made in America' films at Maytag The show's producers chose Maytag for the segment because it's an iconic name and it's made in America, Ratzenberger said.    Melamine Found in Chinese-Made Walmart Dog Treats Remember the dog treats that Walmart quietly pulled from its shelves instead of recalling? Walmart's own tests have shown they were tainted with melamine, the same chemical that killed all those pets back in March. Fun.    More Toys Recalled for Lead Can't we just go one week without a recall of dangerous toys from China? Guess not: Some Sponge Bob items and another toy train is on the recall list.    Buy American, support country, stay healthy Our participation in the global economy has to take a back-seat to our having a strong domestic economy.    Poison PJs from China - Embalming fluid found inside children's pajamas Scientists found formaldehyde, a chemical preservative, in wool and cotton clothing at levels hundreds of times higher than levels considered safe.    Toy makers must deal with stigma of 'Made in China' Gone are the days of squeezing every last penny out of an operation. What toy companies are saving won't matter if no one buys their playthings.    Made, badly, in China Here's the truly dark side of the economic force known as globalization, where greed prevails above all.    Chinese Official: Recalls are 'trade protectionism' China's quality watchdog chief Li Changjiang says "Demonizing Chinese products or talking of the Chinese product threat, I think, is simply a new kind of trade protectionism."    China TV Airs Shows Defending Products China has launched a new campaign to restore international trust in its products with a weeklong television series defending the country's safety standards.    Claims Chinese clothes show formaldehyde A New Zealand television program has reportedly found levels of formaldehyde in Chinese-made clothing up to 900 times the level known to affect humans.    Toy scare may bring back 'Made in USA' As American toymakers and sellers prepare for the upcoming Christmas holiday season, they are facing a China syndrome in toy making that may not disappear anytime soon.    Toymakers ballyhoo 'Made in America' Next to "Merry Christmas," here's the greeting toy shoppers are most likely to hear and see this holiday season: "Made in America."    Where did that food come from? Your guess is as good as the label Without knowing where the food came from, consumers can't be certain it is safe, experts say.    More food imports from Mexico, not China, turned away In past year, inspectors found salmonella, other defects in goods entering the U.S.    China said to have known about magnets last March China knew about problems with magnets on toys as long ago as March, an industry official said Wednesday, after a second massive recall of Chinese-made Mattel product due to hazards from small magnets.    Knockoff diabetes tests? Yep, China Last year Johnson & Johnson discovered counterfeit strips used to test blood glucose levels were being sold under its label. Looks like we can add those to the long list of fake products originating in China.    Mattel recall suits a risk: experts Mattel Inc., the largest U.S. toy company, not only has a huge image problem but could face a series of lawsuits after two major recalls in a month, legal and public relations experts said on Tuesday.    Mattel: 9M more Chinese-made toys recalled The recall affects 9.58 million imported toys sold at toy stores, discount stores and other retailers nationwide dating back as far back as May 2003. Retailers started pulling the products off shelves.    NAFTA Superhighway traffic tied to bridge collapse WND has unearthed a Federal Highway Administration report dating back to 1998 that warned increasing NAFTA truck traffic was expected to create a safety concern with bridges in states along the I-35 NAFTA Superhighway, including Minnesota.    Democrats' Third Rail: Free Trade So, with the exception of Representative Dennis Kucinich, who announced Tuesday night, to ringing applause, that during his first week in office as president he would withdraw from Nafta and the World Trade Organization, the rest of the Democrats at the A.F.L.-C.I.O. forum were more cautious. When asked whether, for all of their Nafta-bashing, they would pull the United States out of the trade pact, they quickly veered to vague talk about stronger worker protections.    U.S. may restore sock trade safeguards Socks imported from Honduras are up 60 percent in the first five months of this year compared to the same time in 2006. Meanwhile, domestic production has plummeted by more than 20 percent, eliminating jobs along the way.    Buick, Lexus Tie Atop Power Survey That another manufacturer might eventually clip Lexus' lead was not entirely unforeseen, but few would have expected the challenger to be Buick, the long-ailing mid-luxury brand of General Motors.    255,000 Chinese-Made Tires Recalled A tire importer said Thursday it would recall 255,000 Chinese-made tires it claims were defective because they lack a safety feature that prevents tread separation. The recall applies to Westlake, Compass and YKS brand tires.    China threatens 'nuclear option' of dollar sales Two officials at leading Communist Party bodies have given interviews in recent days warning that Beijing may use its $1.33 trillion of foreign reserves as a political weapon to counter pressure from the US Congress.    'Made in China' - Let the buyer beware? Chinese dealings leaves importer out a half-million dollars.    Mattel recalls 1.5M Fisher-Price toys 81 toys are listed from Mattel's website that could contain excess levels of lead paint.    Ford Motors Reports $750 Million Profit Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally said the results are proof that an overall cost-reduction plan is working, but warned that the second half of this year will be difficult.    R-CALF: Anti-COOL Amendment Designed To Deceive Consumers Opponents of the 2002 country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law are pulling out all the stops trying to convince Congress to amend the law to allow meat from imported cattle that are fed in the U.S. for any length of time to be classified as USA product.    Hawaii Becomes Third State to Enact Legislation on Trade to Safeguard State Legislative Authority The legislation gives the Hawaii the authority to approve or reject any requests from the federal government that would bind the state to conform its state procurement policies to future trade agreements.    Company to pay $500,000 in military flag-patch case A Pennsylvania business will pay $500,000 for lying about where American flag patches it was selling to the military were manufactured.    Poll: 92 percent want 'country of origin' labels Finally, it looks like we're going to get this bill enacted! I doubt the Republicans can throw wrenches into the plans again to stop COOL legislation this time around!    Americans fly the flag for July 4, as long as it's not made in China The state of Minnesota requires all US flags sold in the state to be of American manufacture. Violations of the law will be punished by a $1,000 fine or 90 days in jail.    China-made Chryslers to reach U.S. by 2010 "I would say there are endless possibilities," said Chrysler Group Chief Executive Tom LaSorda.    South Carolina shrimpers may gain from worries over Chinese seafood The federal Food and Drug Administration announced last week that imports of several types of Chinese seafood will be blocked at the border until tests show they are not contaminated with unapproved drugs.    Labels Lack Food's Origin Despite Law Now, with mounting questions about the safety of food imported from China, proponents of the labeling law say they believe that they finally have momentum on their side.    Do you consider products of the USA a badge of honor? Join A&W Restaurant's campaign and show your support for 100% All American Beef. Petitions will be delivered to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.    Chinese official decries U.S. ban on seafood The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday it would detain catfish, basa, dace, shrimp and eel after repeated testing turned up contamination with drugs unapproved in the United States for use in farmed seafood.    Something Fishy In Seafood From China Few Americans know it, but the United States imports more than 20 percent of its seafood from China. Testing over the last six years shows as much as 15 percent of that supply was contaminated with antibiotics.    Bush Losing `fast Track' Trade Powers Since 1975, only one other president, Bill Clinton, has been stripped of that trade promotion authority, designed to speed the reduction of trade barriers and open new markets with other countries. Bush won't get it back again, and the next president might not either.    Forget Hillary, TradeWatch's Lori Wallach For President We have now lost the ability to produce our essentials, must devalue our currency "in order to compete" with slave labor, and have given a Totalitarian communist-capitalist regime power over our future. Can you say stupid? Irresponsible? Traitor?    China swells U.S. trade deficit As the Independence Day holiday approaches, some farmers are protesting the fact that the U.S. has become a net importer of food and raising questions about U.S. trade policy, particularly with China, an increasing source of cheap food, feed ingredients, pharmaceuticals and other goods.    NAFTA superhighway ready to roll Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican, has vetoed a series of bills passed by the Texas Legislature, clearing the way for the Texas Department of Transportation to begin construction on the four-football-fields-wide new Trans-Texas Corridor along Interstate 35 (TTC-35) from the Mexican border at Laredo north to the Oklahoma border south of Oklahoma City.    Chinese Tires Are Ordered Recalled Foreign Tire Sales says it does not have enough money to recall all 450,000 tires itself and might go belly up.    'Free trade' drives Mexicans north The Democratic Party leadership is stabbing its base in the back with secret "free trade" deals made behind closed doors with the White House.    Unions girding to fight for Alcatel-Lucent jobs The giant Paris-based Alcatel-Lucent informed nearly 500 employees earlier this week that it's considering shuttering its Merrimack Valley facility, as part of an overall consolidation move in the wake of last year's merger between the French Alcatel and Lucent.    South Korea warns union about striking free trade agreement The Korean Metal Workers' Union, the country's largest with 150,000 members, said it plans to walk off the job for five days in protest against the free trade deal.    The Trouble With Our Trade Treaties Prof. Robert Pastor, a principal architect of NAFTA under President Clinton, acknowledged in a 2002 essay that "illegal migration has increased.... NAFTA has been encouraging illegal migration, not reducing it."    China overtakes U.S. in greenhouse gas emissions China overtook the United States in 2006 as the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas blamed for the bulk of global warming, a policy group that advises the Dutch government said.    Man charged with violating Buy American Act The owner of an embroidery factory is facing a federal charge after officials learned he outsourced an order to produce flag emblems for military uniforms to Thailand in violation of the Buy American Act.    GM Fills Up on Fuel Cells in Bold, Risky Move Yes, Honda is moving ahead with its fuel-cell vehicle, but recall that GM also unveiled its fuel-cell version of the Chevrolet Volt earlier this year.    No immigration bill needed - Chinese automaker looks to come to U.S. through Mexico The trucks already are certified in Mexico, and Pollack expects them to be on sale there in about four months. Before U.S. sales commence, they'll get a quality upgrade, he says, and a new Chinese-built engine with a 25 more horses.    Chinese carmaker to invest $300 million in Mexico plant Zhongxing plans to export 25 per cent of the Tijuana-assembled vehicles to the United States, building off another venture to export 50,000 vehicles duty-free to Mexico.    Experts point to the China's lack of transparency as cause of its safety problems. Thursday's huge recall of Thomas & Friends, the train set wildly popular with the preschool set, is just the latest in a string of problems with Chinese-made products.    More toothpaste made in China recalled There have been two recalls of toothpaste this week, and now a third for the same reason. A Miami company said it was pulling toothpaste off the market because it may contain a toxic chemical usually found in anti-freeze.    Where are the Americans? Who are the Americans? Who would not buy American, and are crying now that they have no jobs, who cry that their company has closed down and they lost their paychecks and pensions, but they have Hondas or Toyotas parked in their driveways.    Another Spin for 'Buy American' General Motors has clearly been hurt by consumers who simply refuse to buy an American brand of vehicle. But the automaker has decided to use its heritage as a competitive advantage rather than a weakness, since it is one adjective that competitors like Toyota and Honda cannot use.    Ford beats Toyota in quality rankings Ford takes lead spot in five of 19 segments in survey. Toyota captures only four, down from 11 last year.    General Motors has virtually matched Toyota in North American assembly plant productivity, trailing by 6 minutes per viehicle GM's Toledo, Ohio transmission plant took top honors with 2.54 hours per transmission. Toyota and Honda transmissions were absent from the top transmission lists because NONE of the Japanese automakers had a full transmission plant at the time of the survey. And you thought all GM's plants were "over there" and all Japanese plants are "over here?"    Engine trouble on new Texas-made pickup could hurt quality reputation Toyota Motor Corp. faces a costly setback in the biggest U.S. vehicle launch in its history after owners of its new Tundra pickup reported engine failures.    China Says U.S. Food Companies Should Be More Cautious "Officials like me in the Chinese government can supervise the producers here, but U.S. companies doing business with Chinese companies must also be very clear about the standards they need, and don't just look for a cheap price," says Yuan Changxiang.    Trading Secrets The Democratic Party leadership is stabbing its base in the back with secret "free trade" deals made behind closed doors with the White House.    Toothpaste imports tested for chemicals The government is stopping all imports of Chinese toothpaste to test for a deadly chemical reportedly found in tubes sold elsewhere in the world.    House overwhelmingly votes to put restrictions on Mexican trucks on U.S. highways The House voted 411-3 to approve a three-year Department of Transportation pilot program that would restrict opening the border to 100 carriers based in Mexico.    FDA Discovers Contaminated Food Products From China Mislabeled The FDA also announced today that a portion of the mislabeled wheat flour was sent to a Canadian manufacturer by U.S.-based ChemNutra, Inc., and used to make a product that was then imported back into the United States and fed to fish on an undetermined number of fish farms.    Chinese Catfish Banned in 3 States Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks last month issued the "stop-sale" order after tests conducted by the state found what he described as dangerous levels of a banned antibiotic _ fluoroquinolones _ in 14 out of 20 catfish imported from China.    Making it Right "People are spouting the same rhetoric from 10 or 20 years ago, and it's not intellectually honest," said Roger Simmermaker, author of How Americans Can Buy American: The Power of Consumer Patriotism.    BAMW: What's Wrong with American Automakers: The Real Story The good news is that there are clear and identifiable reasons for the big-time struggles at the "Big Three" automakers. The bad news is that unless the American people and their elected representatives realize it and do something about it, every American - whether they are directly linked to the U.S. auto industry or not - will pay a significant price.    BAMW: Corelle is Among the Best for the Kitchen ...there's no reason for any patriotic consumer to feel they're without American-made options when it comes to the kitchen.    Wal-Mart digs up trouble with turtles When a work crew tried to unearth some gopher tortoises on the site of a proposed Wal-Mart recently, it stirred up more than soil.    "Sarky" Plays the Patriot Card Decisions that affect the sovereignty and economic independence of the nation are not to be left to the invisible hand of a market that promises only the most efficient result, now, and not necessarily what is best for the nation.    Rice to be excluded from US-SKorea free-trade pact We'll see how many elected US officials care about our domestic industries when this agreement comes to congress for approval.    US, South Korea make trade deal United States agrees to give preferential treatment to South Korean products made in North Korea.    China Has $1 Trillion to Fight a U.S. Trade War The U.S. has a $233 billion deficit with China, which in turn has lent about $400 billion to the U.S. government by investing a chunk of its $1 trillion of currency reserves in Treasury securities.    U.S. Protectionist Temperature Is Rising Commerce Ministry spokesman Wang Xinpei said says Chinese industry will be severely damaged by the US tariffs on Chinese coated paper and "It's unacceptable and China strongly demands the US reconsider the decision."    Freightliner faces truckload of trade issues Freightliner's plans to build a new truck plant in Mexico, employing up to 1,600, and to shift some production there have renewed calls by labor groups to revisit free-trade agreements.    Vietnam jails ex-trade boss for U.S. garment graft Vietnam on Friday handed a heavier-than-expected jail sentence to a former vice trade minister found guilty of receiving thousands of dollars in bribes involving garment and textile exports to the United States.    U.S. trade official gets an earful from lawmakers about coming trade pact with South Korea The deputy U.S. Trade Representative faced a largely antagonistic group of lawmakers as he tried to sell the idea that a trade agreement under negotiation with South Korea will be a good deal for the United States.    Officials take stand on free-trade policies County officials have unanimously passed a "free-trade resolution," urging Congress to place a moratorium on new free-trade agreements. Armstrong County is the first county to make a free-trade resolution.    Ships set course as worst polluters All the world's cars, trucks and buses can't compete with oceangoing ships when it comes to releasing acid rain- and smog-making sulfur dioxide, according to findings released Thursday by a group of international transportation and environmental regulators.    Tainted Chinese wheat behind US pet poisonings Investigators have reportedly found a rodent-killing chemical sprayed on imported Chinese wheat in the tainted pet food that has killed several animals in the US and Canada.    United States must do better at opening other nations' markets to American industries Last year, American automakers sold about 7,200 cars in South Korea. The South Koreans sold 801,000 in the United States.    US Beef Smells Fishy? This month US beef got a clean bill of health from the World Organization for Animal Health, the international body that sets global safety standards for meat, milk and eggs. That's just not good enough for Japanese consumers though.    Greenspan's Inequality Fix: Free Trade for Lawyers and Doctors Greenspan: "If we open up a significant window for skilled workers, that would suppress the skilled-wage level and end the concentration of income."    Minnesota House backs made-in-USA requirement on U.S. flag sales A made-in-the-U.S.A. requirement for flags sold in Minnesota passed the House on Thursday in a bill that would bar foreign-made flags from store shelves.    Congress may end slaughter of horses; Meat in U.S. sent to overseas tables Not all U.S. exports are good exports    Toyota gearing up its U.S. lobbying drive Toyota wants giving money to politicians to equal being classified "American."    At Witz' End: What's an American Car? Some say a Japanese car bolted together in America with a fair amount of U.S. content is more "American" than a U.S.-brand car assembled in Canada or Mexico with some foreign-sourced parts. Nonsense! Ask yourself, again, where are the bulk of the better jobs and where do the profits go?    USA : AMTAC supports congressional call for new direction for trade policy The U.S. government must use its control of access to the U.S. market as leverage to level the playing field for U.S. industry. A comprehensive approach," said AMTAC Director of Membership and Media Outreach Lloyd Wood.    Lawmakers Launch bid to Redirect Trade Policy "Years of job-killing trade agreements are taking their toll on workers and small business owners alike," Sen. Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat, told reporters. "It's clear this administration has little desire to change direction, so it's up to Congress - to chart a new course for the future of U.S. trade," he said.    Congress's upcoming "free" trade fight: The good, the bad & the ugly In the new Congress the battle is going to be fierce and nasty over "free" trade (read: trade deals that are filled with protectionist measures for corporate profits but free only of protections for human beings).    Montana introduces legislation opposing any effort to implement a tri-national political, governmental entity among the United States, Canada, and Mexico States are starting to sick up for U.S. sovereignty.    Free Trade and Funny Math Economic nationalism is the policy of rising powers, free trade the policy of declining powers.    How to Ruffle Free Trade Feathers As for Smoot-Hawley, they are given way too much credit for the Depression. One would think a stock market collapse, the failure of thousands of banks, a third of America's savings disappearing and men leaping off New York buildings may have triggered the Great Depression.    Ford trucks work behind the scenes in Tundra commercial Trucks seen in the background of the job site, used by workers to build the massive commercial set, are Fords.    BAMW: Thunder on the Tundra: Toyota Trucks Ahead in 2007 Recalls Although we've barely passed mid-February, Toyota has already recalled 533,417 vehicles this year in a mix that, according to www.AutoRecalls.us, includes Tundras Sequoias and Camrys. That puts Toyota on track to recall more than the over 1.76 million autos they recalled in the U.S. and Japan in 2006, and the 2.2 million they recalled in 2005 when they recalled more cars than they built.    Ford retirees feel bumps of former employer's ride Joe Barberio retired in 1998, but stays connected with the industry through a recurring role at auto shows in Detroit and Chicago. He cited a recent article by author of "How Americans Can Buy American: the Power of Consumer Patriotism" author Roger Simmermaker that is circulating among past and present Ford employees.    Ford earns two spots on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2007 Listing the Mustang GT V-8 was a 'no-brainer.'    Daimler Considers Sale, Partners for Chrysler Unit DaimlerChrysler is in talks with General Motors to sell Chrysler to the world's largest carmaker.    Toyota sweats U.S. labor costs; leaked memo calls for holding down wage growth Asian automaker frets over pay for its workers as it expands in U.S.    Column: Auto woes finally get national attention Japan has government-paid health care, so cars and truck imported from there carry no health-care cost burden built into the sticker price.    New attorney general says monitoring mergers can help protect jobs On Dec. 7, Hong Kong-based Techtronic Industries said it planned to buy Hoover from Whirlpool Corp. for $107 million. Techtronic also makes Regina and Vax vacuums and related products.    Phony parts cost Ford $1B Ford's disclosure of the extent of its counterfeiting problems -- part of a U.S. Chamber of Commerce study that will be released Wednesday -- is the first by an automaker to give a specific figure on losses due to counterfeit and pirated parts.    Americans Questioning Value of Free Trade The writer of this article asks for response on what we think would happen if Americans couldn't or stopped buying cars and trucks made in countries that didn't return the favor.    Honda recalls 81,000 Accord sedans A failure of the sensor causes the airbag system to default to the fully deployed position, regardless of the seat position, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).    Toyota to recall 533,000 SUVs, trucks Automaker says 11 accidents were reported because of a defect that makes Sequoia, Tundra difficult to steer.    Buy American Mention of the Week article printed in the Pittsburg Post-Gazette Ford and General Motors have taken turns besting the Toyota Camry in quality surveys for the past two years, but if you talk to many Americans -- especially the ones who would never consider supporting home-based auto companies -- you'd never know it.    Herald-Free Press comments about this website's "Buy American Mention of the Week" article on American Auto Perception Simmermaker strummed my happy chord when he wrote about a bias that many in this country, including some in the media, have against American automakers.    Chinese company sweeps up Hoover It wasn't immediately clear whether the Chinese purchaser intends to continue using Hoover's manufacturing operations in the United States, the largest of which is a 850-employee unionized factory in North Canton, Ohio.    BAMW: Put American-Made Gifts Under Your Tree The best way to guarantee prosperity for Christmas present and Christmas future is to put American-made products under your Christmas tree this year.    Toyota ain't 'American' Unless and until the boys in Aichi Prefecture pick up and move their HQ here and list their shares as domestic shares on the New York Stock Exchange, Toyota ... now read these words slowly and clearly ... will not be an American company. Period.    BAMW: American Perception Problems of the American Auto Industry Perhaps someday the American media will give GM and Ford the credit they deserve. And once they do, perception among the majority of the American public will rightfully change.    Answering Chinese Mercantilism is Not Protectionism, it's Self-Defense Less than half of China's price advantage is created by inexpensive labor. The rest, quite plainly, comes from chiseling and cheating on the rules.    When shopping, support America "How Americans Can Buy American" referenced in Virginia newspaper article.    Russia's Evraz to Buy Oregon Steel for $2.3 Billion Emerging economies now account for six out of the 10 biggest steelmaking nations.    Free trade hasn't turned out to be a great deal Over the past five years, most Americans have seen stagnant wages and increased job insecurity. While the Dow has recovered, job creation remains historically weak. While compensation for chief executive officers has hit records, college graduates have seen their incomes drop.    Colbert endorses buying American Stephen Colbert read from a sheet of paper, as if to make a public-service announcement for someone who left his or her headlights on: "If anyone here is driving a black Ford Explorer ... thank you for buying American."    France's Schneider to buy American Power Schneider, already outsourcing some of its own production to lower-wage countries, said it was "confident" it could turn APC around.    Automakers travel to White House Mulally, hired recently from Boeing, also said he will talk to the president about other free-trade is sues that give foreign products ad vantages over U.S.-made ones. "It's all of them. It's steel. It's tariffs. There's all kinds of elements to competitiveness."    Wages of Victory; On Tuesday, economic populism had a good night. Since joining the House in 1993, Senator-elect Democrat Sherrod Brown has been among its most full-throated and unapologetic protectionists. Democrat Representative-elect Zack Space declared that "the loss of jobs to overseas markets is perhaps the most serious, long term threat to this country, and our way of life."    Return of Economic Nationalism? Almost no embattled Republican could be found taking the Bush line that NAFTA, CAFTA, MFN for China, or globalization was good for America and a reason he or she should be re-elected. "Protectionist Stance Is Gaining Clout," ran a headline inside The Wall Street Journal election eve.    BAMW: Participate in the First Annual All-American Toy Drive! Well over 90% of all toys sold in America today are made in China where violations of child-labor and human-rights laws run rampant. Children under what we would consider a legal working age are routinely forced to work 12 hours a day or more.    Aderholt still awaiting promise on socks The DR-CAFTA trade agreement passed 217-215, but Aderholt is still waiting for tariff protections related to Central America sock imports.    Election may spell doom for Bush's trade agenda "Even if the Republicans continue to control the Congress we've already moved into a more protectionist atmosphere," says Iowa Republican Sen. Charles Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which handles trade issues.    Is buying American important to you? Do your research There is no question that American-owned General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co., for better or worse, far outrank the competition. GM and Ford still build the majority of their cars and trucks on U.S. soil and employ and support many more people in the country than do their rivals.    U.S. Should Bring Jobs Home to Help Economy We are the future of this country. Are we going to keep it, or sell it?    Poll: Brown and DeWine locked in tight Ohio Senate race Buy American advocate Sherrod Brown could take a Senate seat in Ohio. See the Sherrod Brown for Senate website here.    Buy American advocate Jack Davis leads Tom Reynolds in New York's 26th District 48% -33% for the U.S. House of Representatives See the Jack Davis for Congress website here.    A Quiet Break for Corporations The biggest beneficiaries of the rising tide of tariff-suspension bills are domestic subsidiaries of foreign corporations.    New deal for U.S. manufacturers If Americans are the most efficient workers on earth and work longer hours than almost any other advanced nation, why are we getting our clocks cleaned?    U.S. Sinks in Global Competitiveness Survey The United States falls from first to sixth place in economic competitiveness, according to a report card from the World Economic Forum.    Japanese-owned 7-Eleven drops Citgo gasoline from its stores Venezuela leader had called President Bush 'the devil' weeks before.    NEW AD CAMPAIGN FOR PICKUP: Chevy's patriotic appeal Silverado commercials use John Mellencamp song to invoke images of country, family, home.    BAMW: How to Show You Are a Proud American Are you a proud American? How will you show it, and how will other people know it?    Record U.S. Trade Gap Fails to Spark Clamor for Protectionism "It's no secret why China does so well in the game of international trade," Ohio Democratic Rep. Sherrod Brown, 53, said in a statement yesterday reacting to the trade figures. "They cheat. And we let them."    Trade issues split candidates U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), who is trying to unseat Republican Sen. Mike DeWine has been a staunch opponent of free trade agreements that he says is shipping U.S. jobs overseas and making it hard for U.S. companies to compete.    The Prairie Populist: Byron Dorgan Free trade pacts are filled with protectionist provisions for the corporations who write them and are "free" only in that they are free of similar protections for regular citizens.    China Replaces U.S. As World's Largest Exporter Only five years ago, the United States exported more than double the amount of China.    5 trying for Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Ney's seat in Ohio Also vying for a spot on the ballot is Coshocton resident Samuel "Jerry" Firman, who hopes to "start going back to farming," focus more on Ohio's agricultural base, and increase the consumption of American-made products.    AmericanFlags.com Offers Visitors Free Flags in Honor of 9/11 Anniversary AmericanFlags.com is the world's largest retailer of U.S. flags and flagpoles, supplying American-made products to corporations, schools, military bases and consumers worldwide.    Congress pushes more export financing for small business The Ex-Im Bank uses taxpayer dollars as credit to help American companies compete for sales with heavily subsidized foreign exporters, but sometimes at the expense of small exporters.    Tree stands Made in USA Deer Hunter Treestand Co. has been producing hunting stands in Hickory, NC and is the longest standing producer of tree stands in America.    American beef slowly returns to Japanese menus A survey by Tokyo-based marketing researcher Intage earlier this month found that 54 percent of the respondents said they wouldn't buy American beef.    Stokes working to get the message out before it's too late One way Stokes gets that "conversation" started is by convincing experts on the issue to share the dangers of the direction our country is headed with anyone who will listen. One of those people is Bob Johns, director of marketing for a division of NUCOR Corporation, the country's largest steel company.    Wal-Mart tour makes Seattle its last stop The campaign also urged the company to "Buy American" to increase the percentage of "Made in America" goods to help bolster the American work force.    BAMW: Save Money and Energy with American-Made Tankless Water Heaters You wouldn't leave your car running all day, or your steam iron or toaster on just because you might need to use it soon. Your water heater should be no different.    Links Updated! Links page has been updated with a new link to PattonShirts.com.    Piercing port security as easy as hitching a ride More imports equal more danger.    BAMW: Why GM shouldn't become a General Merger GM Chief Wagoner has already met with the would-be foreign investors representing Renault/Nissan, and all are keeping quiet about the meeting. Let's hope it ends there.    Foreign influence over GM raises concerns The idea of foreign companies exerting control over GM doesn't sit well with some U.S. politicians, union leaders and admirers of the company. Their discomfort is compounded by the fact that the French state holds 15 percent of Renault.    U.S. automakers support more jobs Detroit automakers support an average of 34 jobs per 1,000 vehicles sold, compared to 13 jobs per 1,000 vehicles from import automakers.    The benefits of buying "Made in America" The reality is that Americans probably underestimate the value of their buying decisions and how they can affect the nation's economy and future.    Toyota dismisses US protectionism fears Two months ago Chrysler accused the Japanese of "wrapping themselves in the Stars and Stripes" and pretending to be American. Jason Vines, vice-president of communications, said the manufacturers should not "insult consumers by falsely rallying around a flag you don't salute".    2 Rivals Authorize G.M. Talks Under the $3 billion plan, Renault and Nissan would each buy 10 percent stakes in G.M. Tracinda holds 9.9 percent.    World Puts the Brakes on the Rush to Globalization Certainly in the economic sense, the rush toward globalization has slowed, and "economic patriotism" is on the rise.    BAMW: Keep Your American-Made Goods Under an American-Made Lock and Key So now you know that you don't have to buy a Mexican-made Master Lock to keep your belongings safe and secure. Wilson Bohannan locks may cost a little more, but just think of it as an investment in your country.    Teutonic shift in thought German-owned DaimlerChrysler AG plans to make it clearer to U.S. consumers that Chrysler is not part of the Big 3 but a unique German-American company.    Canadian company to buy American sock maker "I feel pretty certain that a real effort will be made by the Kentucky Derby management to keep as much of the local production in the U.S. as possible," Schollaert said. "We just have to hope that corporate headquarters in Montreal will not develop different plans."    Foreign buys of US companies highest since 2000: report Acquisitions of companies in the United States by foreign-based firms have reached their highest level since 2000, according to research firm Dealogic.    BAMW: Just in Time for Summer! You won't find more ways to show your support for Buying American in the clothes you wear and the car you drive anywhere else than the USA Shop. Visit the USA Shop by clicking here today!    House vote rejects Proposal to relax limits on foreign ownership of domestic airlines "American airlines should be just that - owned by Americans," said Rep. Ted Poe, R-Humble.    Legislators Detail Concerns About Counterfeit Goods from China In 2005, almost 70 percent of counterfeit products seized at U.S. borders originated in China, Manzullo said. China's share of those counterfeits was 10 times greater than that of any other U.S. trading partner, he added.    Perspective -- We're buying our imports with our own assets The world's investors can use these dollars in three ways. First, they can buy American products. Despite the deficit, this is still where most dollars go. Or second, the world's investors can lend these dollars to Americans. The third thing the world can do with dollars is buy American assets. This is U.S. land, U.S. buildings, U.S. highways, and - most of all - U.S. companies.    ELECTRONIC VOTING Forget Dubai -- worry about Smartmatic instead The greater threat to our nation's security comes not from Dubai and its pro-Western government, but from Venezuela, where software engineers with links to the leftist, anti-American regime of Hugo Chavez are programming electronic voting machines that will soon power U.S. elections.    Hillary: I love Detroit* *Especially as she considers a 2008 presidential bid "You might say that I was surprised and shocked over some of the highly uninformed and inaccurate comments that President Bush made about GM, its ability to compete, and the 'relevance' of its products," Lutz said. "Rarely have, in any country of the world, the foreign companies experienced the joy of seeing the head of state bash his own national industry."    Detroit narrows productivity gap The 2006 edition of the Harbour Report on North American auto-factory productivity found the average number of labor hours General Motors took to build a vehicle in North America last year had fallen to 33.19 hours, only 41 minutes of labor more than it took Honda Motor Co. to assemble its average North American-made model.    Want to kill unions? Buying imports is great way to do it The unions are not killing the unions. All the people driving imports with American flags are killing the unions.    Is Whirlpool to blame for closing Southern Illinois plant? According to the 2006 Report on Illinois Poverty, Illinois has lost 222,500 manufacturing jobs since 1990 and 156,000 of those jobs were lost between 1999 and 2005. Interestingly, those years correlate with the increases in taxes and fees, and the job loss has caused the median household income to plummet at a rate three times the national average.    Roger Simmermaker quoted in PC Magazine - Can You Really Buy An American PC? "I think the difference between cars and computers is that people are pretty much aware that they can pretty easily buy a car made in the USA -- and they're right, they can," says Simmermaker. "But the electronics world, people think, is a lost cause. But once people start buying American, they see that they can actually invest their dollars in America, and I think that is particularly motivating to people."    GM chief calls for action over healthcare crisis GM's Mr. Wagoner, Bill Ford, and Tom LaSorda, chief executive of Chrysler, have been unsuccessfully trying to arrange a meeting with President George W. Bush since before the last election, but the White House again delayed a meeting with him and the heads of the other two big US automakers.    Autoworkers want all to share a piece of the pie When did the citizens of this great country of ours grow so bitter? When did they stop wishing fellow Americans good will and prosperity? No American should revel in the diminishing fortunes of fellow Americans.    In Daewoo, GM finds gold in overall gloom GM's ability to thrive in South Korea is surprising, given the country's general hostility to foreign businesses.    Rep. Sherrod Brown hopes voters buy trade issue America won't solve its immigration problem, he says, until it solves its trade problem.    BAMW: What GM and Ford must do to stay out of bankruptcy ...we imported $1.21 trillion worth of foreign-made goods in 2005, and that's excluding Canada and Mexico! That's twice the amount of imports compared to 1992 when Ross Perot warned us about NAFTA's giant sucking sound, and it's an 80-fold increase compared to 1960.    Retired US workers promote American brand cars "While foreign automakers own more than 40 percent of the market, they employ only 20 percent of the workers," Jim Doyle, president of Level Field Institute, said at a news conference on Thursday to roll out a more than $1 million ad campaign focused initially at Washington policy-makers.    New ads: Buy from Big 3, save U.S. jobs "Seems like every automaker these days claims their cars are 'Made in America.' But the truth is, U.S. automakers still employ 8 out of every 10 autoworkers. Four times more than all the automakers from Japan, Korea and Europe combined," says one ad delivered by an actor resembling an archetypical burly autoworker.    New Balancing Act Video from Nightly News Video details how U.S. Manufacturers can and do compete.    EPA Certifies Propane Conversion for Ford 4.6-Liter Engines (Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis) "the 4.6-liter-equipped Crown Victoria is the fleet vehicle of choice for taxi services, law enforcement, as well as state and federal government agencies throughout the United States, said AFVS President Jeff Groscost. "Fleet operators that retrofit with our system and purchase bulk propane can substantially reduce their fuel costs, often by up to 40 percent, while increasing their vehicles' longevity and reducing maintenance costs."    'Buy American' push alarms IT contractors Legislation introduced by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, would require substantial U.S. citizenship representation among the boards and executives of companies that receive contracts for U.S. critical infrastructure protection for national security.    BAMW: Want to Boycott Big Oil? Then Boycott Citgo! ExxonMobil may be guilty of handing out an extravagant $400 million bonus to their outgoing CEO, but Citgo caused us to change our laws (made by the folks you sent to Washington, remember?) and made us question the sovereign right to defend the enactment of those laws.    Made in U.S.A. as strategy Zippo insists on making its iconic lighter, with a trademark rectangular shape and a distinctive slip-click shut, in the U.S., and it plans to move manufacturing of a multipurpose lighter, used to light candles and grills, from China to Bradford, Pa.    Rocky sues competitor over its 'Made in USA' claim If "Made in USA" didn't matter, companies wouldn't be suing each other for the right to use and display the term.    Toyota: We're all-American, too "People who think it doesn't matter who owns our auto industry are flat wrong," Robert Lutz, GM's vice chairman, said.    Driven to buy American by sense of economic loyalty A survey late last year by J.D. Power and Associates noted that, "The good news for Detroit is that the quality of domestic vehicles is higher than many people perceive it to be." The bad news? Perception rules.    U.S. manufacturing companies close up shop "What is worrisome about that is the U.S. standard of living. I think it is very difficult to envision our standard of living being preserved if we're in an economy where all people do is flip hamburgers, wait on people in stores and sue each other, said Wilbur Ross, chief executive of WL Ross & Co.    Which is more important, the American economy or American laws? Basically we turned free trade into forced trade, and 11 million Mexicans were smart enough to go where the money led them. Why work on a farm in Mexico when your profits are going to the United States? Pack your bags and find a hole in the fence.    Arrival of aliens ousts U.S. workers In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, 70 predominantly black American workers in Alabama were sent home after just two weeks on the job by employers who told them "the Mexicans had arrived" and were willing to work for less.    EU, U.S. File Joint WTO Case Against Chinese Tariffs China's levies on automotive parts force foreign carmakers such as General Motors Corp. and Volkswagen AG to buy 40 percent or more of the components used in their Chinese-assembled vehicles from local suppliers or face a tariff of as much as 28 percent on those imported parts, the U.S. and EU say.    We Need Alexander Hamilton The first bill to pass Congress on July 4, 1789, was for the seal of the United States. The second bill was a 50-percent tariff on numerous articles.    Do Hybrids Drive U.S. Into More Debt? Our federal government must borrow from a domestic or overseas source, possibly Japan, the $1,700 to pay the Prius buyer for the tax credit. Americans add $13,000 in trade debt for importing the vehicle to save $3,000 in oil trade debt over five years. And at best, the Prius owner may generate a small savings.    America for sale: Assets sell fast "To those who say this is protectionism, I say - America is worth protecting," says GOP Rep. Duncan Hunter of California, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.    BAMW: America's Ports: Chalk One Up for the "New Protectionists" Aside from the dangers of granting a foreign company even partial control of anything to do with a vulnerable entry point to America, it's easy to recognize that American companies are much more likely to react much more favorably to American pressure than foreign companies. Isn't that reason enough for American companies to run America's ports?    Secure ports seize agenda in Congress Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., who chairs the House Armed Services committee, is proposing a new law that will force foreign owners to divest control of all infrastructure deemed critical to national security; Bush's plan to eliminate targeted funding streams for ports.    Georgia pays $160,000 per job to land Kia plant Georgia to write Kia Motors Corp. a fat $400 million incentive check; Ford's offer to invest $600 million was only worth $88 million in incentives to the state. More bias toward foreign automakers.    Toyota, Honda must fess up to less vroom, reduce horsepower claims Darren Seeman, who runs the Web sites ToyotaLife.com, LexusLife.com and ScionLife.com saw his Lexus downgraded from 300 horsepower to 288. "I'm still going to tell people it's 300," he said.    Is 'Made in U.S.A.' back in vogue? Industry observers say "Made in U.S.A" is once again looking more attractive to some U.S. retailers versus importing from China.    Rep. Walter B. Jones, R-NC introduces bill to raise tariff on Chinese-made cars. The Chinese government slapped a 28 percent tariff on American-made cars, but the U.S tariff on Chinese-made cars is only 2.5 percent.    Bill Targets Foreign Role at U.S. Sites House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) said Thursday he would introduce legislation not only to kill the Dubai Ports World deal but also to prevent foreign companies from controlling facilities determined to be critical to U.S. national security.    BAMW: Shop for America Doing business with companies you respect because of their similar outlook on what's best for the American economy helps to make us feel more of a part of the economy we're helping to prosper.    Help us, Mr. President - Auto industry needs an advocate, not a bailout First, Detroit does build "relevant" products, such as the white Ford F-250 you drive down in Crawford. Despite all the ballyhoo about Nissan's new Titan pickup, the Mississippi-made behemoth you touted on a visit down there continues to miss sales targets -- so much so that Nissan cut production while Ford's F-Series trucks continue to sell near record levels.    Nissan drops company health care for US retirees I guess the burden of 500 U.S. retirees was too heavy a burden for Nissan. Meanwhile, GM continues to support 450,000 U.S. retirees and their dependants despite financial troubles and accusations from certain Americans who claim they aren't "competitive." Go figure.    Outside View: U.S. cars need Bush's help U.S. automakers are making "relevant products," but they are also struggling with immense costs not faced by their foreign counterparts, including ballooning pension and health care costs.    China to U.S: Don't Pressure Us! "Imposing pressure or sanctions to solve problems between the two will not be beneficial for China-US trade relations and will not be beneficial for the United States' interests," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.    Webster City, population 8,100, to lose 700 factory jobs when Swedish-based Electrolux transfers laundry factory work to Mexico Note: Maytag builds washers and dryers in Iowa, Illinois, Arkansas and South Carolina.    General Motors to Invest $500 Million in 5 Michigan Plants In spite of the financial pressures, GM raised capital spending by $1 billion in 2005 to $8 billion.    Foreign Ownership of U.S. Airlines & Ports Deemed Troubling Bush wants to give control of operations and security of six U.S. ports to a company based in the United Arab Emirates, even though the UAE provided most of the financing for the 19 hijackers on 9/11/2001.    Ford parking edict spreads across U.S. After the company's Dearborn Truck plant exiled non-Ford vehicles to the far side of the parking lot, similar restrictions are being enforced at Ford factories around the country.    America's prosperity is hollow What constitutes failure for a free-trade policy? Or is there no such thing? Is free trade simply right no matter the results?    BAMW: Is It Unpatriotic to Not Buy American Cars? If it's unpatriotic to destroy the American middle class, then it's unpatriotic to not buy American cars. As a country, we're drowning in a sea of red ink, and as consumers (those who really should know better, anyway) we're drowning is a sea of "what's in it for me."    Rescuing American automakers We cannot "shelter" businesses suffering from shortsighted decisions or uncompetitive products. But that's not what is wrong with U.S. automakers.    America for Sale Once again, foreigners are heeding the call to "Buy American." Acquisitions of U.S. companies by foreign firms rose 27 percent in value last year.    Chinese 4x4 gets zero in safety test The first Chinese car to be sold in Europe has scored zero - the worst-ever score - in safety tests.    Ford's Way Forward Plan "One of the most important findings from this research is that Americans really do want to buy American brands, as long as they are competitive with the imports," said Mark Fields.    Fact check: Are American cars really that bad? The GM/Ford average quality is better that the average quality of the Japanese brands. Buick, Lincoln and Cadillac finish higher in quality rankings than Toyota, Honda and Nissan.    The 'Gun That Won the West' to Lose Its Made-in-USA Label Winchester rifles, after a Connecticut factory closes, will be made in Japan and Europe.    Timberlake line to stay 'Made in USA' "We want to do it (make furniture here) not only because it's the right thing to do, but also because it can be done with the right quality right here in Lexington," Timberlake said in an October 2003 interview with the Winston-Salem Journal.    Buy American to keep nation, industries strong Buy American to keep nation, industries strong.    Global competition puts pressure on Oregon pear growers There's a smart way to avoid direct competition from imported pears grown at different seasonal times that would benefit all players, but that's unlikely to happen.    BAMW: What's Bad for General Motors and Ford is Bad for America If GM is guilty of anything, it's for not communicating well enough or fast enough about how valuable they really are to American prosperity. The American people will eventually find out. It may be the hard way and not through television ads or other media attempts, but they will learn.    This souvenir fight is made in the U.S.A. "I think that when American families visit our wonderful treasures across the United States, that it would be nice if the souvenirs that they take home with them were actually made in our country," said Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno.    Teamwork Athletic Introduces New Moisture Management Fabric for Baseball and Softball Uniforms. Teamwork Athletic promises "Made in USA" uniforms in stock and without minimums.    Cut out foreign aid, subsidies; buy products made in USA It is time to take drastic measures to save this great nation.    President's decision shocks tube makers "This case was so good and well-documented. It was a blatant case of the Chinese government dumping its steel tubing into the American market. We can't understand how the president could rule against American workers."    Bush rejects relief for U.S. steel The President recently rejected the recommendation of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to provide relief to American pipe steel producers, who U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky said are suffering from Chinese steel flooding the U.S. marketplace.    U.S. automakers' woes overshadow shimmering new models "The next 12 months will not only determine the very future of the domestic automobile industry as we know it, but Detroit will become the lightning rod for the most pressing issues facing this country -- health care costs, pension reform, global competition and its threat to the industrial foundation of America," said Peter DeLorenzo, auto analyst and publisher of Autoextremist.com, a closely-watched industry Web site.    The Death of American Manufacturing Be warned and remember the old adage, "as GM goes, so goes the nation."    Toyota shying from unions Shouldn't the Japanese company - making much greater profits that GM and Ford - be able to pay American workers at least as much as GM and Ford? No, because that would prevent more of those profits from going back to Japan.    Ford designer plans American styling "We will use our national identity in our products. There are people out there who will not buy American, but there are even more people who will only buy American," said Peter Horbury, executive director of design.    Economy Hurt by Trade Deficit, Experts say. As America's trade deficit sets a new record, an increasing number of mainstream economists grudgingly admit free trade is killing American jobs.    Religious values drive clergy's car choices Driving American cars is one way to thank the country that's allowed him and his parishioners so much religious freedom. "You should be good to the country that's been good to you," said Rabbi Steven Weil.    It's the Economic Security, Stupid Critics say the soaring deficit is evidence that President Bush's policy of pursuing free trade deals around the world is not working.    Links Updated! Links page has been updated with a new link to USMilitaryStuff.com.    Simmermaker Quoted in the Washington Times "It means more jobs for Americans, and workers in foreign countries don't pay taxes to America," Mr. Simmermaker says. "Those fees ... support Social Security, Medicare, public schools and the national debt."    BAMW: America's Best Coffee for America's Favorite Holiday From the growers & pickers and packers & shippers to the freight & delivery and packaging & materials, the USA Coffee Company is true red, white and blue from their trees to your cup.    Support Schumer-Graham S.295 If this bill passes, China must fairly revalue its currency or face an across-the-board tariff of 27.5% that will be applied to all Chinese products entering the United States.    Buy American cars to support your country Ford, for example, has numerous inner city programs. They're also involved with our environment. From saving the wild mustangs to providing the National Park Service with cleaner, more efficient transportation, Ford has donated time and products.    Hayes pushes for 'buy American' rules "We can't have national security without economic security," Hayes (R-NC) said.    Buy American! T-Shirts Reduced to $11.95! (Previously $15.00) Order by December 15th to get yours in time for Christmas!    Maker of pet products aims to collar market When Wiggles, Wags & Whiskers markets its products to retailers at trade shows, it stresses the "Made in USA" angle.    American-made Christmas ornaments! Roswell, New Mexico has been the home of Christmas by Krebs for thirty years, and the vast majority of the glass offered in their product line is produced domestically.    BAMW: Traveling with "American-made" in Mind Ever since Tough Traveler started doing business 35 years ago, they have remained true to "Made in USA" and everything it stands for.    Kill Free Trade, or Kill American Manufacturing Globalization means "I keep my job as a newspaper reporter, academic and government worker, while prices go down for imported goods, profits go up for the companies and you Mr. Autoworker lose your job."    Bill Ford's Address at the National Press Club, Washington, DC Today, despite recent announcements, our domestic auto manufacturers are still the foundation of the auto industry in this country. We still employ nearly 90% of the workers in our industry. We still manufacture 75% of the cars and trucks made in America. We purchase 80% of all U.S. auto parts. And since 1980, we've made more than 85% of the total investments in the U.S. auto industry -- $175 billion.    BAMW: More Ways to Buy American from Union Jean Company Union Jean has an extensive line of products including denim shirts and jeans, denim jackets, duck/canvas jackets and coveralls, fleece (including firefighters fleece,) henleys, ladies tees, oxford dress shirts, polo/golf shirts, t-shirts and twill shirts. Not to mention, of course, their newly expanded line of khakis and carpenter jeans.    Native returns home with Longaberger Co. products Longaberger items include pitchers, dishes, dinnerware, glassware and hand-woven, Grade A Maple baskets. Plus, the products are all American-made.    Sky High Saturn Since its launch in 1991, American-made Saturn has stood for a lot of things: solid construction, straight-forward pricing and strong customer loyalty.    Webb Furniture forced to close plant because of cheap imports High-efficiency, American-produced bedroom suites priced at $699 are still not cheap enough for cheap-minded consumers wanting Chinese bedroom suites for $299.    BAMW: The Right Way to Participate in the Annual Toy Drive for 2005 Well over 90% of all toys sold in America today are made in China, where violations of child labor and human rights laws run rampant and children under what we would consider a legal working age are routinely forced to work 12 hours a day or more.    Showdown at Delphi: What happened to the American Dream? "It's going to come to a head, whether it comes at GM or just comes in a social uprising," Baemmert said in an interview. "I don't believe that corporations and governments today can continue to do what they are doing, without people finally getting to the point of hurting enough that they--well, civil war is a nasty word, but I see it coming."    Retiring benefits GM retirees face cuts in health care coverage    Rotten politics delays food labeling again Approved by Congress and President Bush in the 2002 Farm Bill, COOL was to be mandatory by October 2004 - until GOP leaders conspired to delay it until 2006. Now a conference committee agreed to delay COOL until 2008.    Intel says buy 65 nano, buy American The company has committed to investing $4 billion in the U.S. in fab expansions, which will result in about 2,000 jobs.    Toyota contributing to demise of auto industry You know things are bad when a Canadian has to stand up for supporting GM and Ford and so many Americans won't.    Delphi offer: $9 an hour, workers asked to pay up to $5,000 yearly for health care. This is what's in store for America if we continue to allow unregulated free trade and don't buy American.    Links Updated! Links page has been updated with several new American-made links.    Dell Makes Plans to Expand Oklahoma City Call Center Dell is already planning to expand its customer contact operation with an additional 120,000 square foot building, increasing the area work force to 1,000 employees by 2006.    'Cheers' actor highlights Ocala's E-One in his new show "If you think, 'Well, I can get it here cheaper,' that's short term thinking. You're not thinking of your kids and grandkids," he said. "If you keep buying items to save three or four bucks, and you're putting Americans out of work, you better start learning to speak Chinese."    BAMW: The Japanese Dream Call it the Japanese dream of American free traders. They're making it a reality by advocating continued wide-open American markets while we all hope and pray - someday - Japan will surrender theirs like we have hypocritically surrendered ours. Don't look for it to happen anytime soon.    Japan mum after GM blasts trade practices Why would Japan abandon protectionism at home enjoying easy access to America's wide-open market? They keep their market for themselves and enjoy taking a greater market share from America where people are eager to quickly bash their own home-based automakers and support foreign companies instead, even though they employ less American workers.    A family's work continues In 1991 - before NAFTA - the United States produced 5.6 billion garments, accounting for 63 percent of the clothes Americans bought. By 2003, Foreign-made clothing accounted for 96.2 percent of the clothing Americans bought.    Wal-Mart's Giant Sucking Sound Today you can hear a second giant sucking sound in addition to the one Ross Perot warned us about: Wal-Mart sopping up the vitality from middle-class American families, local communities, and the national economy.    Actor John Ratzenberger at his hometown of Bridgeport, CT to film a segment for the Travel Channel show he hosts, "Made in America." "My personal mission is to remind everyone else in the country that this is who we are as a civilization," Ratzenberger said of the show. "We are innovators. We are inventors. We are manufacturers. We are not paper shufflers. We are not theorists."    Ethanol: Filling up for less Ford, DaimlerChrysler and General Motors all produce some "flexible fuel" vehicles -- cars and trucks that can use gasoline or E85.    Innovative product demonstrates Spec.-Ops. Brand commitment to creating smart solutions for the everyday equipment needs of U.S. troops in the field Spec.-Ops. Brand products are 100% Made in America in the company's manufacturing facility in Monahans, Texas.    Shoppers pay little notice to 'made in USA' label As Pfaltzgraff fans converged on the York fairgrounds to snap up bargains at the company's annual warehouse clearance sale, some bargain hunters admitted they weren't paying attention to where their purchases were produced while bemoaning the loss of the local factory and lamenting the planned move of jobs overseas.    As America Arms Itself, It's Less 'Made in U.S.A.' Rising Foreign Role Worries Lawmakers At one time, the Pentagon could have gotten all it needed from manufacturers in the United States, but no longer. Nor does it want to.    Congress urged to reassess foreign bid reviews Congress should consider changes to the way foreign purchases of U.S. companies are reviewed to make sure national security concerns are fully addressed, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said in a report.    Senate Passes $100 Billion Agriculture, FDA Bill The Senate did pass several amendments, including a measure to keep Kobe beef off U.S. menus if Japan won't buy American beef.    General discusses war on terror China currently owns $600 billion of U.S. debt, and it's heading towards $1 trillion. They can use that money to buy American assets. This is a big problem.    Links Updated! Several new links have been posted - check them out today!    BAMW: Trade, Aid, and Buying American As patriotic consumers, we must not only buy American products, but we must also help make American products available and easy to buy when we can. It is no doubt an uphill battle, but America became great by swimming upstream when it was required instead of merely always floating along with the tide.    Marine Corps Unveils High-Tech Humvee Information about beneficial (and vital) technology developed by tax dollars paid by people who live and work in America.    BAMW: What Happened to Quantum Cotton Company - And More The message is clear. If we talk the talk of "Buy American," then we must walk the walk as well. That way, we can keep other patriotic, American companies like Quantum Cotton and Cape Shoe from having to close their doors. We must buy American while there is still American left to buy.    Poverty Rate Rose to 12.7 Percent Last Year Even with a robust economy that was adding jobs last year, the number of Americans who fell into poverty rose to 37 million - up 1.1 million from 2003 - according to Census Bureau figures released Tuesday.    Why a booming economy feels flat A boom in corporate profits has not yet created a job market that makes workers feel secure, economists say. Hiring hasn't skyrocketed. Worse, wages are stagnant.    BAMW: Media Bias Against American Automakers Of course its easier for American consumers to switch from their foreign "suppliers" to reclaim their self-sufficiency and independence than it is for a large American corporation like Ford, but the blue-oval guys are doing it.    Ranchers cutting the rope; considering new organization Producers want Country of Origin Labeling, or COOL, because they believe consumers will buy American beef if given a choice. Packers don't want COOL, because they want to mingle American beef with imported beef.    DRIVER'S SEAT: Don't Count the Domestics Out Finally! An automotive editor that exposes how the media likes to hammer GM and Ford but foreign automakers often get a free pass, even when American cars are obviously better.    Ford slams Toyota on hybrids For its future hybrids, Ford is scouting for domestic suppliers to reduce its reliance on Japanese firms whose first loyalties may lie elsewhere.    Most Dependable Vehicles In a study of three-year-old vehicles, models from General Motors and Ford win top spot in most segments.    BAMW: Putting the Color Back in Home Organization SkyBurst promises to put the color back in home organization with laundry hampers & sorters, knitting bags & needle cases, college laundry bags, shoe baggers and dry cleaning baggers, just to name a few.    Bush Signs Controversial Trade Law "CAFTA is more than a trade bill," Bush said, claiming the measure would help strengthen young democracies in Central America and the Caribbean and prove to those countries that the U.S. stands firmly behind them.    "Flat-Out, Completely, Horizontally Opposed to CAFTA" Rep. Robin Hayes Flip-flops His Initial "No" Vote to "Yes" at Last Minute for Empty Promises on Textiles - Again    Why "Made in the USA" matters American-made products can represent much more than patriotic pride    BAMW: Leveraging Corporate America One sign that there may be at least a minor corporate shift to proudly claiming American roots by an American company is taking place in the alcoholic beverage industry.    Agency violates law to buy American Baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and ... Hyundai?    Buy American Granted there are many products that are no longer produced in America; but every American, for their own future welfare, should always buy American when they have a choice.    GAO: DHS can't track Buy American Act compliance The DHS' automated computer systems do not permit ready identification of foreign acquisitions.    BAMW: Destroying More Anti-American Automobile Industry Myths Focusing on just how cheaply we can find consumer products is ruining America. The "cheap" mindset has invaded our culture and seems to have taken a permanent place in the American way of life. How sad.    Behind The 'Made In America' Clothing Label Be sure to watch the video stories on this website.    Trade gap is American-made Millions of patriotic Americans make big displays of national loyalty on the Fourth of July, but brand loyalty trumps patriotism when Americans display their trillions of dollars' worth of buying power at the mall.    American-made products can be hard to find Simmermaker said everything he wears is made in America -- from Union jeans to Oakley sunglasses.    2 Wants to Know - Investigations Simmermaker on WFMY-TV News in Greensboro, NC - How Often Do You Buy American?    Links Updated! American-made Sportswear! Check out the new links to American-made Sportwear!    BAMW: American-Made Khakis and Much, Much More Why pay a price mark-up for the privilege of buying retail when you can buy American-made pants direct from the pant supplier or American-made shirts direct from the shirt supplier? And you won't have to spend over $2 per gallon of gas driving around town looking for what you may not find anyway.    On the money After reading about the troubles of the Big Three automakers, do you feel compelled to buy Ameeican cars and trucks?    Europeans invade Mobile "I've said all along the contract should go to an American company so that the taxpayers are not subsidizing the French," said U.S. Senator Jim Talent, R-MO.    Links Updated! Carrington Court Furniture Carrington Court Furniture - Hand-Made in USA!    No longer 'Made in America' "The problem with the trade deficit is it's never going to get better if we keep producing overseas," says Roger Simmermaker, author of "How Americans Can Buy American."    Bipartisan trade deficit Last month, the four co-chairmen of the 40-member House New Democrat Coalition (NDC), normally free traders, announced their opposition to CAFTA.    GM's challenge is U.S. dilemma Everyone has a stake in the renewed success of General Motors Corp.    Toyota may raise U.S. auto prices - Kyodo If the U.S. auto industry collapses, it may adversely affect Japan-U.S. relations by stirring up national sentiment there, Hiroshi Okuda said at a press conference.    Why buy Japanese cars when U.S. cars are as good or better? The Toyota ads imply that the money they get for their cars stays in America. That's misleading.    Beyond the name-calling, CAFTA's just a bad deal When the world's poorest people can buy American products, not just make them, then we will know that our trade policies are finally working.    Shop 'till you Drop on a Mexican Wage This interesting website shows what you could afford to buy if you worked in Mexico.    American Owned. Born Here. Brewed Here. Anheuser-Busch is the only major brewer still American owned, with over 95% of our stock held by American investors.    Budweiser Fires Patriotic Salvo at Miller, Coors This Bud is for you, and it's red, white and blue. Those other "American" beers? They're owned by foreigners.    Don't farm out our heritage If CAFTA is passed, we will gain little for trading away our sugar industry.    Chinese taking on the world The rest of the world is on the verge of experiencing the pain of China's export tidal wave.    There go our jobs overseas What price are we paying for the so-called price reduction?    U.S. Reps. Dave Weldon and Tom Feeney back "buy American" provision The "buy American" amendment to the House's defense bill would prevent the Pentagon from purchasing goods and services from foreign companies that receive government subsidies.    Links Updated! EndNationalDebt.com Put a Dent in the National Debt by Visiting EndNationalDebt.com!    Legislation Aims to Restore 'Buy American' Act New Homeland Security legislation, approved Wednesday by the House, promises to give U.S. industry an edge over foreign competition and make sure government contracts go to American firms.    BAMW: De-Junking the American Auto Industry These Buy American bashers are decidedly off base in claiming that GM and Ford don't make cars that Americans want since both companies have higher market shares than their closest foreign rival.    BAMW: One if by Land, Two if by Sea If high-quality and high-value products are what you are looking for, spend your hard-earned money where it counts and support good-paying American jobs at the same time. Chances are this can't be done at Wal-Mart where you'll be diverting dollars to the middleman that Two Lamps is trying to avoid.    The Week's Business: Toyota fears U.S. backlash as GM struggles GM is losing money and market share, while its Japanese rival is worried about doing too well and sparking a protectionist backlash in the United States.    Another Bricklin? Entrepreneur Shelburg Will Import Chinese Cars This Year David Shelburg, a 75-year-old Arizona businessman, plans to start selling cars made by not one but three Chinese car firms.    GM, Ford Junk Status; Toyota Record Profits It should be clear to all Americans there is no better time than now to Buy American.    BAMW: In Defense of General Motors In the end, it doesn't matter how you slice it. General Motors pays more taxes, employs more workers, has more domestic plants, supports more families, retirees and their dependents, and has a higher overall domestic parts content than the foreign competition - hands down. American quality is on the rise. Efficiency has increased. GM kept America rolling by donating millions of dollars in cash and vehicles in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.    BAMW: "M" is for the Many Things She Does...Including Building a Strong Economy Everything you select and place on your mother's day breakfast tray could easily be made, supplied or produced by America's other working mothers.    Your next Chrysler: `Made in China'? Low labor costs are key to plan to export new compact to U.S.    Dell to Expand Its India Outsourcing Dell will increase its staff strength in India to 10,000 by January from nearly 8,000 at present.    Ford Motor Company Intervenes to help U.S. Government Rescue Wild Mustangs Calling All Animal-Rights Activists to Stand with Ford on this one.    Links Updated! Two Lamps Guild Support this Non-Profit Cooperative Helping to Keep American Manufacturing Alive!    Links Updated! Union Marketing Ideas Find Union-made/American-made products and suppliers!    BAMW: New BUY AMERICAN! Bumper Sticker Available If you have an 11" x 3" open space on the back of your vehicle, you ought to use it to urge others to Buy American by slapping our new BUY AMERICAN! bumper sticker on it!    BAMW: 100% American Coffee from the Tree to the Cup! USA Coffee Company grows all of their coffee beans in the great state of Hawaii. This land was abandoned by companies like Dole, C&H Sugar and others years ago who left for cheaper land and labor in third-world countries in South America, in The Philippines and elsewhere.    Trade yes, Surrender no CAFTA amounts to a foreign aid program - not "free" trade.    Riding the Free Trade Raft over the Falls The annual U.S. trade deficit is now running at $717 billion, $100 billion above the 2004 record.    Links Updated! American-Grown, American-Made / Union-Made Coffee from the great state of Hawaii!    BAMW: Coming Soon - The First "Made in USA" Magazine! Get ready for the first-ever magazine that is dedicated to telling the Buy American story as it relates to American jobs and manufacturing, outsourcing and offshoring, and just about anything else that affects the American middle class and the prosperity of this nation.    Reaction to Governor's Role in Bringing Toyota to MI Chris Sherwood, President of UAW Local 652, says the downside of an American-made foreign car is all the profits go back to its country of origin.    US slams China, Japan and India for protecting telecom markets Is the U.S. finally getting some teeth?    General Motors Retirees Organization Interviews Roger Simmermaker When free trade advocates cite today's global economy as a reason to bash protectionism, Roger says, "There is nothing new about being in a global economy. We've been trading with other nations for hundreds of years. People throw out the word 'protectionist' as a negative label, but don't define it. It is anything that puts American workers and producers at the same competitive stance as foreign companies."    BAMW: American-made Collectible Cars Most Carllectibles! are 1/16th scale or approximately 12 inches long, but the scale might vary slightly with the model of your car. Each sculpture is hand-finished with the details permanently fired on to ensure lasting beauty, and all wheels, headlights and chrome details are meticulously finished in 24 carat white gold!    Wal-Mart to pay $11mn in settlement of illegal immigrant case Write that check payable to the U.S. Treasury!    Bush should concentrate on China, trade deficit Industries, and automakers and suppliers especially, are struggling through this "economic recovery" as best evidenced by GM's announcement Wednesday it will lose $850 million this quarter.    China Threatens U.S. Alliances I thought the fact that we buy an extravagant amount of Chinese imports meant China would be our friend or at least not threaten us (or our allies) in any way. Once again, reality trumps theory.    Shifting gears: New kind of patriotism drives Americans to efficient autos Companies like General Motors and Ford deserve business from their countrymen, Simmermaker said, because they're feeling the weight of an "honorable" burden. "The Big Two," as he describes them, struggle to make healthcare and benefits payments for the "people that give back to our economy."    Deficit finance day of reckoning? The perils of foreign ownership.    BAMW: Now in Paperback! The second edition of "How Americans Can Buy American: The Power of Consumer Patriotism" is now available in paperback for $16.95 plus $3 shipping and handling. The previous hardcover version, which sold for $24.95 plus $4 shipping and handling, is now out of print and is no longer available.    What's free trade? I always though that you traded your surplus for products you were in need of. If I have oranges and you have apples then I trade you some oranges for apples. If we both have apples, there is nothing to trade, or could this be called free outsourcing.    The unthinkable happens: Michigan is courting Toyota Michigan is currently fighting in court to push through a deal to sell public land to Toyota that would allow the company to expand a technical center near the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. A local developer who outbid Toyota by $16 million has sued to block the deal, but courts have so far sided with the state.    BAMW: Anchor Hocking for American-Made Glassware If you're looking to stock your kitchen cabinets and cupboards with American-made bakeware, dinnerware, beverageware and other household items, Anchor Hocking probably has what you need.    Buffett hopes his US dollar bet will fail Buffett has urged the U.S. to establish a new tariff plan to lower the trade gap.    Buffett deepens dollar worries "This force-feeding of American wealth to the rest of the world is now proceeding at the rate of $1.8bn daily, an increase of 20 per cent since I wrote you last year," Warren Buffett said. "Consequently, other countries and their citizens now own a net of about $3,000bn of the U.S."    Ex-employee keeps GM's retirees connected Web site members talk about life, cars and health benefits.    Dobbs fires away against outsourcing Dobbs says some CEOs have accused him of turning into Ralph Nader, but "privately many CEOs say to me: 'If everybody else would stop it, I'd be delighted to end it. Until that happens we have to protect our margin at the margin.' That's a shame."    Finding U.S. Products Is Hard Letter Writer's Opinion: It seems to me that most people are looking for things made in America with the U.S.A. stamp on them.    Southern Business: Company seeks to keep jobs in rural America Rural Sourcing Inc. already has offices set up in places such as Jonesboro, Ark., and Portales, N.M., off-the-beaten-track college towns where there's a steady supply of trained workers who can perform basic programming and information technology tasks at 30 to 50 percent less than the labor costs of most domestic firms.    EU Still Resists Buying More U.S. Farm Products. Tariffs for incoming products in Europe are nearly three times higher than the United States.    Indiana's bankruptcy rate at all-time high Plant closings and the loss of manufacturing jobs are being blamed in large part for Indiana's record high bankruptcy rate.    Senate Narrowly Approves Resolution on Free Trade Agreements Supporters say unfair trade agreements have been responsible for the loss of more than 100,000 manufacturing jobs in Indiana since the year 2000.    R-CALF gets preliminary injunction to keep border closed Montana views Canada as competitors, and the longer they keep Canada out, the better prices they have.    New crop of farmer's markets The nation's waistlines and foreign trade deficits may be ballooning, but at Daytona Beach Farmers' Market the homespun theme is buy American and eat healthier.    Auto motive Every foreign car purchased by a citizen of the United States is another nail in our coffin. Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, BMW, Volvo, Subaru, Suzuki, etc., are all foreign and all destroying our American way of life.    Highlights from AP poll on nine nations Surprise, surprise! Americans are more likely to want to buy American than consumers from other countries.    Links Updated! American-made kitchen cutlery and accessories!    For troops in Iraq, gear from Carolina rivers An Appalachian town enjoys an economic boom as US soldiers go shopping for rugged apparel.    Don't be a traitor: buy American Americans are unique for their unpatriotic preference to buy "fashionable" foreign goods such as BMWs rather than all-American Fords.    GM chairman collides with health care, trade By not having to spend $5.2 billion each year on health care like General Motors does, GM Chairman Rick Wagoner said Japanese carmakers are able to spend money on bringing new products to market and building new plants in the U.S.    BAMW: To Boycott or Not to Boycott Maytag One of the more-recent labor issues on the job front involved Maytag's decision to close their refrigerator plant in Galesburg, Illinois and transfer the work to Mexico. But as with any situation that is clearly a negative for thousands of American workers, we must carefully determine the best course of action. The best solution is not always to immediately boycott the company that has forced American workers once on assembly lines to instead assemble in unemployment lines.    BAMW: American Quality Leisure Time When you need to relax after a long, hard day during the week or if you just want to take time to relax over the weekend, check out Twin Oaks Hammocks to help you better enjoy your leisure time.    'Made in the USA' a dying phrase? Chinese banks forgive non-performing loans, thus allowing money-losing companies to continue operating.    Sanders: Unfettered free trade is ruining middle class We must create a noise so loud that even the president hears it.    Small manufacturers drive trade protectionism up the US agenda When the National Association of Manufacturers was founded in 1895 it called for higher tariffs and bilateral reciprocity in trade. It is a formula that some US manufacturers would like it to embrace again.    Pell City officials looking for ways to Buy American "We want to support domestic companies as much as we can," Mayor Adam Stocks said.    Graham seeks tax on China imports Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., this week will introduce a bill to slap a 27.5 percent tariff on every item Americans import from China.    Local contracting company fined A Chillicothe general contracting company was fined $5,000 for using foreign-made steel in the construction of a building project at a Veterans Affairs hospital in South Carolina from 1998 to 1999.    Glass houses Shrinking domestic markets, foreign competition, product dumping and price slashing by U.S. competitors were among the problems cited when local glassware maker Jeannette Corp. shut its doors.    China cause of widening trade gap We are going to, sooner or later, repay China $11.1 billion, plus interest, just for our December 2004 purchases," said Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash.    BAMW: American-Crafted Pottery at its Finest If you've been searching for totally unique pottery products made in the USA, a visit to the Rowe Pottery Works' website at www.rowepottery.com should help you find what you're looking for. The variety of what you will find there is amazing and almost overwhelming since there is so much to see, and variety is a true asset with American-made goods like these becoming harder and harder to find.    BAMW: American-Made Kitchen Cutlery and More Rada Cutlery has been making fine kitchen knives and utensils since 1948, and all of their products come with a lifetime guarantee.    U.S. Tech Exports Slide, but Trash Sales Are Up Exports of advanced technology products are down 21 percent, while those of scrap and waste are up 135 percent.    Letter: Trade plan will hurt U.S. Opposition to free trade has little to do with protectionism but everything to do with upholding the Constitution and sovereignty of the United States.    Salt Lake Tribune Letter to the Editor Rep. Tom DeLay pushes to make sure U.S. labor law could not be used to cover sweatshop workers in the Marianas Islands, an American protectorate in the South Pacific, where clothing made in sweatshops can be labeled "Made in U.S.A."    Official: build tanker in U.S. Partially due to "buy-American" mandates from Congress and partly because of national security considerations, the Pentagon historically picks domestic manufacturers to build most major weapon systems.    Recovery on right track? Other nations' economies are only sputtering along and unable to buy American products.    BAMW: Grooming American-Style When it comes to grooming, Wahl is the company to buy from if you care about "Made in USA."    China National Offshore Studies Bid for Unocal China is flush with the U.S. dollars we have been sending them, and now they're on the hunt for our companies and other assets.    Congress ends federal protection of wild horses The meat will likely be served in restaurants in France, Belgium and Japan, where horse is a delicacy.    Are You Ready for Chinese Cars? The man who brought America the Yugo in the 1980s is turning to China to sell import vehicles at bargain-basement prices on the U.S. market.    Is the US too 'stingy'? Twenty percent of those surveyed in Europe and Canada said that they made an effort not to buy American products as a protest against U.S. foreign policy.    U.S. claims victory in trade dispute It's funny to hear the U.S. Trade Rep. demand "protections" for American farmers' ability to sell overseas, but "protection" for U.S. producers to access America's market is dangerous and supposedly caused or deepened the Great Depression (a big lie). Hypocrisy and a distorted view of trade history continue to reign in U.S. trade policy.    Forget India; outsource jobs to Arkansas One woman believes that companies can send jobs to rural areas and save just as much as they could sending them to places like India.    "Made In America" Marketing Could Capture Consumer Attention Another poll showing people are ready to "Buy American."    Links Updated! Carllectibles American-made ceramic sculptures of hot rods and race cars    Be a patriot, buy American Sometimes the best newspaper articles are from "We, the People."    Oreck: Buy American or suffer results Some CEO's do support buying American, and we in turn should support them and their American workers.    Kodak closing Toronto plant Production will move to sites in either Colorado or England.    BAMW: The Right Way to Participate in the Annual Toy Drive So how can we avoid the trap of buying toys made by underprivileged kids in China to give to underprivileged kids in America? By buying American-made toys, games and sports equipment that are made under acceptable and humane conditions.    Patriotism finds cheaper source in China Simmermaker quoted in The Financial Times.    Sears expects lawsuit over 'Made in USA' tag Just in time for Christmas    IBM Sells PC Unit to China's Lenovo The deal makes Lenovo the third-largest PC company in the world.    U.S. hits Chinese exporters with tariffs to stall dumping Some Chinese shrimp exporters will have to pay discouragingly hefty tariffs of more than 100 percent if they want their products to appear on American dinner tables, the Commerce Department ruled Tuesday.    Oneida announces schedule for factory closings Oneida Limited says it will shut down its last manufacturing operations in central New York early next year.    'Made in California' conference held Manufacturing provides the third highest wage jobs in the state, and one manufacturing job creates three to seven more jobs.    BAMW: There's Only One American Coffeemaker - Bunn Bunn is an American company based in Springfield, Illinois, and all Bunn coffeemakers are assembled in the USA. Every other brand of coffee maker you could name makes their products overseas - usually in China.    A rough ride for Schwinn Bicycle As employment rose at Schwinn and other factories after World War II, so did the fortunes of the middle class. From 1947 to 1979, median family income more than doubled, from $21,201 to $45,989 in inflation-adjusted terms. The gap between rich and poor narrowed, as the middle 20 percent of families gained ground more rapidly than the top 5 percent.    Congress Saves COOL After a long Congressional fight this weekend country of origin meat labeling will remain mandatory by the year 2006.    Innovation spurs growth in global marketplace There was a natural tendency of gun buyers to buy American-made products, but the brand name on the gun proved even more important.    Can't-Miss Ways to Outsmart Wine for the Holidays If you want to "buy American" for the holidays, you can't go wrong with Zinfandel, the rich red wine that is pretty much only produced in the United States.    Protesters speak out at Wal-Mart Montana shoppers chant "Buy Local, Buy American" INSIDE the store.    Help America, buy American! Have you heard any of our politicians recommend we buy domestic products, if possible?    BAMW: The Entrepreneurship of Cedar Springs, Michigan When one thinks of American cities with unique entrepreneurs, Cedar Springs, Michigan probably doesn't come to mind that often. But this small town of 3,600 people is home to four unique companies that offer products made nowhere else. And they are all made in USA.    Made in America Simmermaker interviewed on KSDK-TV (St. Louis)    BAMW: Totally Unique Stuffed Animals at KathysKreations.com You'll find Foxes, Dalmatians, Cheetahs, Cougars, Polar Bears, Panda Bears, Buffalo, Elk, Clydesdales, Giraffes, Sharks, Rattlesnakes, Squirrels, and even a Brontosaurus.    Industry: Bill Ford calls to "restore American competitiveness" It's about time U.S. manufacturers started playing the "Made in USA" card.    Links Updated! American Made For You American-made jeans, caps, shirts, and overalls, etc.    Trade group shifts focus - 'Made in U.S.A' is no longer required Had the association kept its American-made policy, manufacturers say, some of its 475 members - a roster that includes household names like La-Z-Boy and Ethan Allen - would have been forced out.    Links Updated! AllMadeInAmerica.net A variety of Made in USA toys.    BAMW: American-made Variety at ShopUnionMade.com We need to spend our energy preserving the jobs we have left. American made matters. American jobs matter. American prosperity matters. So let's take these matters into our own hands and make a difference.    Links Updated! Ironwood Bats American-made bats for baseball pros and amateurs alike.    Links Updated! ShopUnionMade.com A good variety of American-made, Union-made items.    Links Updated! Alore Quality-made, Union-made, American-made clothing for a lot less than you would expect.    Links Updated! Save American Manufacturing Check out Save American Manufacturing and help fight for fair trade.    Links Updated! RideHarder.com The last ski manufacturer in the USA!    Links Updated! Cubbyhole Toys More American-made toys!    Huffy Files for Chapter 11, Buyer Emerges Step 1 - Fire your American workers and move to China where labor is cheap. Step 2 - File for bankruptcy in the United States.    Feingold blasts trade pacts at meeting "I'm not going to accept a $7 an hour job after working at a corporation for more than 30 years, working my way up the ladder," one ex-Mirro worker said.    Billy Martin's New Wholesale Apparel Line -- Born & Bred in the USA Appealing to the patriotic side of wholesale buyers at some of America's bigger and better chain stores.    Links Updated! White Creek Tile Take Note of these American-made tiles!    Links Updated! Lainaline.com Finally! Children's clothes made in America!    Carmakers play Made in USA card Finally Some Honest Talk: GM alone has 82 U.S. factories and 194,000 U.S. employees. Toyota, Honda and Nissan combined have 24 U.S. factories and 71,900 U.S. employees.    Links Updated! CustomGlove.com This company makes the phrase "As American as baseball and apple pie" mean something again.    Links Updated! USMadeToys.com Think it's impossible to find American-made toys? Think again!    Links Updated! American Jobs Film See the DVD that is catching the attention of concerned Americans across the country.    Simmermaker quoted in AAA magazine article Simmermaker argues that when American companies prosper, American workers and the U.S. Treasury prosper. By contrast, he says, "When foreigners assume ownership of U.S. land and factories, they become our landlords and holders of the mortgage on our national treasury. They dissipate wealth instead of creating it since their profits return to foreign lands and the taxes are paid to foreign governments."    Police Raid TARA Labs Another company nailed for abusing the "Made in USA" label.    News From USWA: CNN's Lou Dobbs to Receive "Person of The Year Award" His new book "Exporting America" is a must read.    French Intellectual Discusses Anti-Americanism French author seeks to have his book titled "Made in USA" published in Korea?    Local vendors may get a deal Appleton council wants to give city firms the edge.    BAMW: Making the Great Outdoors Truly American You'll find outdoor gear and related accessories for men, women and children from gloves, hats, shirts, pants, socks and other classic outerwear. You'll also find travel gear for your outdoor activities like American-made backpacks, utility packs, field bags and travel kits.    Letter to the Editor Cleveland Newspaper Showcases Non-Union Company on Labor Day.    Report: Outsourcing didn't hurt CEO pay Raises were higher for those whose companies sent more jobs overseas.    Ideal Products Co. and the "buy American" set Ideal promotes its products as "manufactured in the United States with craftsmanship and pride."    American Made: New White House Pastry Chef For the first time since Jacqueline Kennedy brought a French chef to the White House, both the executive chef and the pastry chef there will be American-born.    Toronto-Dominion Bank to Buy American Banking Company Toronto-Dominion Bank is in advanced talks to take control of Banknorth, an American banking company operating in the New England states.    BAMW: Spruce Up Your Garden or Lawn with Buzzard Towne Garden Ornaments These garden ornaments are truly distinctive and one-of-a-kind. The creativity of an American family-owned business is a refreshing change from the typical corporate cookie-cutter designs of all kinds in today's world.    Links Page Updated! BradfieldOutdoor.com Classic American Made Outdoor Clothing for Your Country.    BAMW: American Shrimp from Texas Where Everything is Bigger USA American Shrimp and Texas Longhorn Shrimp are also proud members of the Go Texan campaign, which promotes Texas agriculture.    Union to Fight Reuters Move to Offshore Editorial Jobs We all knew offshoring was going to expand into previously untreaded waters eventually.    A Neoclassical Hole in Neoclassical Free Trade By Ian Fletcher - Vice-President for Government Relations of the American Engineering Association    Japanese owner of Techneglas plans Asian expansion Jenkins Twp. plant is closing, but a new plant will be built for workers in Taiwan.    BAMW: Hauling American-Made Trailers Across America Quality products, American labor, setting the standard, making a difference, keeping jobs in America and exporting around the world are not characteristics that make up most of the American companies today, but yet that describes Croft Trailer and the way they do business.    Think tank warns about jobs flowing out of N.J. One in eight New Jersey jobs are at risk of being shipped overseas to cheaper workers, a liberal think tank warned Tuesday.    BAMW: Keeping America Clean with American Soap All Charlie Soap products are made in Mayodan, North Carolina, and the company is family owned and operated. Patriotic consumers should be happy to support family-owned operations over multinational corporations since their money is more likely to stay in the family, in the community, and within our borders.    Study: Wal-Mart policies cost California taxpayers Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s compensation policies cost California taxpayers $86 million annually to provide health care and other public assistance to the retailer's underpaid workers, according to an analysis released Monday.    Made in the U.S.A. Whether patriotic or protectionist, country-of-origin legislation, after years of debate, got a boost from terrorism.    Stouffer's Chicken Pot Pies Recalled Swiss-owned company's brand frozen chicken pot pies imported from Canada are being recalled because they may contain small pieces of plastic and glass, U.S. officials said Friday.    Cooper to Make Racing Tires in U.S. Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. said Monday that it will invest $11 million over the next two years and add 30 jobs to begin making racing tires at its Athens, Ga., plant.    BAMW: American-Made Footwear from Old-Fashioned American Companies Whether you are focused on footwear for the heads of the family or for the kids as they get ready to go back to school, order from Hoy Shoe Company or SAS for authentic, all-American made products and keep your money in America where it should be.    The price isn't right The list of iconic American companies that have been forced to lay off employees or close factories and move jobs overseas in order to meet Wal-Mart's price includes Etch-a-Sketch, Huffy bicycles, Master Lock, Vlasic pickles, and Levi jeans.    Good news for hosiery industry There may soon be tariffs on socks imported from China.    U.S. takes pride in produce Nationwide, about 85 percent of fresh vegetables and 77 percent of fresh fruit consumed in the United States is grown in this country, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.    13th District: Boyd urges lower taxes to draw investment He also thinks Congress should launch an awareness campaign to encourage Americans to buy American products.    Shirt flap trails Senate race Campaign clothing for two hopefuls not 'made in the U.S.A.'    BAMW: It's what's on the Inside that Counts If it's the right time for you to buy some underwear, www.wickers.com makes theirs at the right price in the right place - right here in the USA.    U.S. urges tariffs on shrimp imported from Asia Cherri Metzger, an agricultural manager in Marshall, said she felt this should only be a first step, and that there should be tariffs on all overseas food.    Court of Appeal Upholds Huge Judgment in Suit Over Manufacturer's Misuse of 'Made in U.S.A.' Label Many of the locksets made by Kwikset did not qualify as American-made.    Seeking goods made in the U.S.A.? Local entrepreneur creates site to help consumers find them.    Thinking About Dependence on Independence Day Prosperity comes by increasing your wealth--not by increasing your debt.    Ties Made in the U.S.A. These aren't inexpensive ties, but they are American-Made.    MADE IN THE U.S.A. American Apparel weaves its fabric and cuts and stitches its T-shirts, fleece pants, pullovers and panties in an immense, adobe-pink former railroad warehouse in downtown Los Angeles.    BAMW: It's Time to Rescue American Jobs Rescue American Jobs is intimately familiar with what is going on concerning H-1B visas, L-1 visas, immigration, outsourcing, trade and economic policy. Regardless of what your hot-button issue is to defend American workers and our American standard of living, Rescue American Jobs can get you involved so you can make a difference.    Links Page Updated! StayUSMade.com Keep American jobs in America! Visit www.StayUsMade.com.    Links Page Updated! Support Patriotic Spending! Coming July 4th: www.MadeInUSA.com    BAMW: American-Made Underwear for Your American-Made Outerwear Next time you're in a major retail store, throw some American-made Jockeys in your shopping cart. You know you'll need some eventually anyhow. By buying them sooner rather than later, you'll increase the chances that when you need to purchase them again, the label will still say "Made in USA."    Arc Floor Lamps are offered in 3 styles. The firm has also developed NOVA Kids, a strong line of juvenile-oriented table and floor lamps, and room accessories which feature American-made designs and contemporary styling.    Samples Updated! Support American petroleum this summer. Don't go to Citgo and send your American dollars to Venezuela!    Interesting Website What should be going up is going down. What should be going down is going up.    Can CAFTA Move American Products? Most American products destined for a CAFTA country are on a round trip ticket.    Widespread opposition may stop new trade deal Let's hope CAFTA is dead on arrival in Congress.    Leatherman Tool Group Inc. busted for improperly using "Made in USA" label Finally a good use of taxpayer dollars: Ensuring companies don't make false claims regarding the origin of their products.    China seeks to develop its own technology standards Renewed dangers of continuing to feed China with American dollars and profits.    American-made girls', women's attire bucks cultural fashion trend An online store is filling what its operators consider a gaping hole in the retail clothing industry: Modest clothing for women and girls.    Buy American For America This site has been launched in an effort to help Americans and American Retailers locate products that are produced by Manufacturers located in the United States.    BAMW: Did You Know the UAW Makes More Than Just Cars and Trucks? Regardless of which side of the political fence you reside (or maybe you're still on the fence deciding which way to jump), we all have an interest in supporting American workers - both union and non-union.    Links Updated: Patriot-Territory.com Where American patriots gather for information and insight.    Tenn. governor signs bill discouraging offshore work Let's hope this is only the beginning.    BAMW: American Accessories for your American Truck Pratt Blacksmith Shop manufactures heavy-duty state pocket anchor systems for full-size American trucks, so regardless of what you are hauling, you can rest assured that you are hauling it safely and securely.    Links Updated: Support-USA.com Proud to be American, Proud to Buy American, Proud to Support Americans, Proud to Support American Companies.    Links Updated: BuyAmericanRadio.com Join New York Myke along with his guests and featured American Manufacturers as he educates the world on why "Buying American" is so important.    Hot start for acquisitions The U.S. dollar fell 21% against the Canadian dollar last year, making it cheaper for foreign companies north of the border to buy existing American companies. Such "foreign investment" is a negative for our economy, draining American wealth and profits to reward foreign owners and investors.    Rush job: At O'Gara-Hess, war means work It is impossible to know how many of the 708,000 jobs created in the past three months are defense-related, since the Labor Department does not track defense contractor employment. But anecdotal evidence suggests the contribution is significant.    US trade panel approves duties on Chinese TV sets Imagine the concept of the U.S. International Trade Commission voting unanimously in favor of U.S. interests.    Troubled waters It doesn't matter if a rising tide lifts all boats if you completely "miss the boat" anyway on outsourcing and free trade.    State House candidates skip primary Kahn says the state should expand the Michigan Economic Development Corp. to attract more jobs, reconnect the education system with employment needs, and promte buying American-made products.    Demo day all about the quality of life, bicycles They decided on Cannondale for it's high-quality design, solid reputation and it's all-American made parts.    Stenholm Hopes for Appeal to WTO Decision RE: U.S. Farm Programs Our agricultural tariffs are low; the average is 12%, while worldwide agricultural tariffs average 62%.    US News: Made in America: Some consumers--and firms--prefer homemade goods Roger Simmermaker makes exceptions for toys. The Orlando, Fla., father of two and author of How Americans Can Buy American eschews United Kingdom-based Dunkin' Donuts for Winston-Salem's Krispy Kremes and drives a Michigan-made Lincoln Town Car. "If Heinz Ketchup were ever bought by a foreign firm, I don't know what I'd do," he says.    Wolverine steps to new heights Because the contract from the U.S Department of Defense requires the boots be made in the U.S., the Bates line is the only Wolverine product built stateside, in Arkansas and Michigan. Other lines are produced in China, Taiwan, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic.    WTO panel decision wreaks havoc What do you think if the Americans had to have laws imposed that were brought about by Brazil?    Cokie Roberts salutes our Founding Mothers The Daughters of Liberty group published verses as calls to arms, an early 'Buy American' campaign.    BAMW: American-Made Magnets and So Much More From hand-cast and hand-painted magnets, pins, jewelry and ornaments to intricate and impressive custom-tiled tables and desks, this family-run business sells to gift and specialty shops in 38 states and they sell directly to patriotic consumers as well.    EU Enlargement No Bonanza for U.S. Farm Exports The merger of 10 mostly central and eastern European countries into the EU, including Poland and Latvia, presents more trade pitfalls than opportunities for U.S. agriculture, according to government and industry specialists.    Sorting out winners, losers in outsourcing "It's a bit ironic to tell a welfare recipient that jobs are going overseas to a call center in India," said state Sen. Liz Figueroa, D-Sunol. "I don't see how having my constituents unemployed helps the economy."    Links Page Updated! Hand-painted, American-made magnets and other keepsakes from Mo8Designs.com.    No State work to outsourcing firms:Kerry 'Use Government Contracts for US Workers' reads the heading for the first measure that Kerry proposes.    Ujena Wholesale Revolutionizes Swimwear Buying More American-made swimwear.    Ford Motor Company Previews All-New 2005 Escape Hybrid at Lohas 8 Forum The new 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid will be the cleanest, most fuel efficient SUV on the road.    Colt Challenges Rivals' Illegal Marketing Practices Colt Defense LLC is an American company with a direct lineage to the original company founded by Samuel Colt in 1836.    Feds exempt Nissan from fuel economy rule Twisting American laws to favor foreign companies.    BAMW: Coming Soon: The First All-Buy American Talk Show! The political hot-button issue of Buying American will have its own talk show starting Monday, April 26th.    A Victim of Free Trade, Economic Populism May Yet Enjoy Revival "Let capitalism do its thing" is at long last being challenged and shown to be a hollow construct.    Links Page Updated! Pieces Of Places Only American-made items can be found on this website.    Salvaging the ruins He's watched big sections of metal carted out of his building, each bearing the stamp "Bethlehem Steel, Made in USA."    Goods haul: fakes with foreign tag "Do not buy any foreign item simply going by the 'made in USA' stamp on the packet," consumer department officials said.    The hidden price we all pay for Wal-Mart A report by Rep. George Miller (D-CA).    Governor halts state's outsourcing Arizona won't be sending any more state work to foreign countries.    Links Page Updated! Get your Union-made and American made stuff at UnionStuff.com.    Fears rise as jobs go abroad A good article that details the potential erosion of America's tax base.    Making it Big Each item has "Made in USA" tacked onto the end of its product description.    Sunkist to Put Country-of-Origin Label on Fresh Produce Sunkist, a 110-year-old cooperative based in Sherman Oaks, supports country-of-origin labeling and has long put such information on its packing boxes and bagged fruit.    Small California Town Blocks Wal-Mart's Expansion Plans Wal-Mart loses vote to expand.    Senate gets bill backing "Buy Illinois" Web site The Buy American issue is quickly becoming a state and local issue.    Small Companies Want Protection Against Chinese Patent Pirates "Since its discovery of the nearly identical product, Videx's sales in China have plunged by about 90 percent, and it says the Chinese competitor is now selling Videx's technology in other Asian countries."    Akron firm sees futons go upmarket American-made Futons.    Go-Ped(R) Recycles Foreign Scooters to Clean Up America The manufacturer of the world renowned, American-made, Go-Ped (R) line of scooter products, has developed a way of removing inferior and high emission foreign made scooters from roads and streets, and at the same time, help to preserve American jobs.    Bad Times for U.S. Goods Sites As U.S. firms continue to move production facilities overseas at a rapid clip, retailers of American-made products say keeping an accurate list of inventory is harder than ever.    BAMW: Get Your Patio Ready for Spring with American-Made Furniture and Accessories Getting your patio ready for Spring can be as easy as making a trip to either Lowe's or Home Depot, and practically everything can be found made in the USA.    Aldermen say 'union, yes' and delay Wal-Mart stores Wal-Mart is a negative force on the U.S. economy, forcing other stores to lower wages to be competitive.    Radio Flyer to produce wagons in China An American classic hits the wagon trail to China.    BAMW: American-Made Apparel in So Many Ways; Costco vs. Wal-Mart There's no reason to buy imported apparel if you know where to look.    Union: Buy American goods It is unthinkable and unAmerican to purchase products made outside the U.S. when so many factory workers are seeing their jobs outsourced to foreign manufacturers.    Hooley pushes country labels for food Why not make food country-of-origin labels similar to clothes, cars and toys?    Bush Campaign Gear Made in Burma Violators of the Burma import ban are subject to fines and jail, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.    The President's Radio Address When we try to get the "entire world to Buy American," we lose focus on encouraging the American people, who are most likely to do so.    Small Businesses Need Not Apply Iraqi contracts are exempt from the Buy American Act.    Alcoa to rescind some workplace rules Workers win freedom of patriotic expression on the job.    Outsourcing draws everybody's ire At a kickoff rally, "Made in America" television host John Ratzenberger spoke passionately about the toll outsourcing has taken on American communities.    Companies Crow About Keeping Jobs in the USA Consumers are paying attention. Web sites such as www.HireAmerica.us list companies that outsource and those that haven't.    'The Envelope Please' Airport Security Just Got Better! MailBack is made in the USA, and will be sold at airport retailers and airline ticket counters close to security checkpoints.    Simmermaker Quoted in the University of Delaware Review Companies proud of the American-made label    Outsourcing Prompts a Flood of Letters The advocates of outsourcing may have their agenda, but concerned Americans outnumber them, and it's only a matter of time until their agenda is buried.    BAMW: Can't We Just Outsource Those Who Advocate Outsourcing? One thing that still divides our country today is that too many people are fixated only on their own special interests, willing to endorse policies that benefit their own industry even though other American industries would be sacrificed.    Campaign to save jobs hits trade show No cheers for anti-business policies at Chicago rally.    Poll: Free trade loses backers America is starting to get the message.    BAMW: How to Buy Inexpensive American-Made Apparel and Stay Out of Wal-Mart ...[P]ay a visit to www.alore.net and browse through their All-American products. By supporting them, you'll be supporting the American worker and the American farmer, and you'll probably be making a more powerful, positive impact on the U.S. economy than you may have first imagined.    Wal-Mart PAC Busy This Election Season Wal-Mart is lobbying for a different kind of protectionism: from class-action and overtime-pay lawsuits.    China ideal partner for frugal Wal-Mart More than 80 percent of the 6,000 factories in Wal-Mart's worldwide database of suppliers are in China.    Job seekers can often find work - but at less pay It's not just the quantity of jobs that aren't there - it's the quality of those that are.    Trade Issues Forging New Alliances We have to protect our own interests ... or someday we'll all be holding hands around the globe, living in peace and understanding and making $2 an hour.    Edwards Woos Worried Workers in Wisconsin "We started talking 20 years ago about 'buy American.' How about 'hire American?"'    Taking Back Our Country A patriotic letter written to The Southern Illinoisan    What Would President Jesus Drive? Only Dean and Kucinich seem to pass the Buy American test for cars.    Picking his spots, Edwards eyes Kerry "The American people understand that protecting America also means protecting American jobs," said Edwards yesterday.    60 anti-BPO laws in US The anti-outsourcing move in the US is acquiring gigantic dimensions. A number of protectionist measures are under way...    Edwards Campaigns in the South, but Looks Beyond, Too Senator John Edwards is talking up the Buy American issue now.    The fish you buy to carry a label this fall A step in the right direction for those who demand the right to be able to support their own country.    BAMW: Walgreen's Joins Wal-Mart in Ditching Kodak for Fuji Walgreen's is officially kicking Kodak to the curb in favor of Japanese-owned Fuji. Kodak used to be the sole provider of photo-developing services to America's largest drugstore chain, but now Walgreen's has over 4,000 Fuji computer kiosks and 1,500 stores now use Fuji one-hour developing equipment.    Harvey urged to stay in touch Senator John Warner (R-VA) champions Buy American provision in bill passed by the Senate.    Law limits offshoring of A-76 work Congress attempts to put the brakes on outsourcing.    Democrats civil during 1st debate in South See the last paragraph to see Dennis Kucinich's comment about Buying American.    Russians take over Rouge mill Should we put ourselves in the position of depending on foreign investors for American jobs?    Environmental group praises American shrimp One activist claims 90% of the shrimp Americans eat today is imported.    Newly created jobs often pay much less A national study of job trends released this week by the Economic Policy Institute, or EPI, found that jobs created since 2001 pay 21 percent less than the jobs that were lost during that period.    Consumers should have a cow Florida's labeling law for produce has not caused higher prices.    Where Your Food Comes From Polls have shown overwhelming consumer support for origin labeling, which is already practiced by many of America's agricultural trading partners.    Links Page Updated! Visit UnionBuiltpc.com where all computers are assembled in the USA with as many domestic parts as possible with all union support, sales, programming and web site design - right here in America!    Coming Up Empty CNN's Lou Dobbs says "American can no longer afford the price of 'free' trade."    Wal-Mart in China exemplifies unabashed capitalism For those who swallow Wal-Mart's red-white-and-blue "Buy American" patriotism...a visit to Wal-Mart China will be an eye-opener.    The Dark Side of the Outsourcing Revolution Dialing for American workers.    BAMW: Small New York-based business thrives on quality leather goods From briefcases, belts and backpacks to moccasins and money clips, Leather Artisan makes them all in their shop in Upstate New York.    Links Page Updated! Check out Leather Artisan, Schott N.Y.C. and Bragelets!    White-collar workers being left behind Patriotic IT workers join forces to stop job-losses to India.    Buy-American lobby seizes BSE issue U.S. protectionism opens up a key market to American products - Ours!    Buy American Will Become a Serious Movement Again An astonishing prediction coming from Business Week.    Furniture makers fight to survive Moosehead Manufacturing, 30 others sign national anti-dumping petition The latest in the battle between furniture manufacturers and furniture retailers.    BAMW: Action Alert! Tell Furniture Retailers not to Boycott American-Made Furniture Now is the time to make your voice heard to retailers like American Furniture Warehouse Company and Value City Furniture. Both companies have said they will no longer buy from furniture makers that have signed the so-called "anti-dumping petition" that, pending a favorable decision from the U.S. Department of Commerce and International Trade Commission, could impose tariffs as high as 250% on Chinese-made furniture.    U.S. recovery? Tell it to the unemployed The 57,000 jobs created last month weren't even enough to cover new employees entering the U.S. workforce.    Simmermaker quoted in USA Today, December 15, 2003 Here is the complete article, which did not make the USA Today website, but did make the website of another Gannett-owned newspaper - The Daily Times (Maryville, TN).    U.S. Gov't Imposes Antidumping Penalties Here is proof that protectionism saves and creates jobs in America in addition to generating revenue for the U.S. Treasury - not only through tariffs - but also through income taxes paid by the newly-employed Americans.    BAMW: Bush Wrong to Scrap Steel Tariffs Just like a poker player who doesn't know when he has a winning hand, if America doesn't realize when it has the upper hand in a theoretical trade war, our manufacturers can't expect to win the lion's share of the global consumer market.    BAMW: This Could Be Your Made in USA Shopping List As Christmas approaches, many patriotic consumers will no doubt fret about how to make their loved ones happy with the right gifts and keep themselves happy by remaining true to their values when making purchases at the same time.    Links Page Updated! Artificial Christmas Trees Made in the USA!    How hard is it to buy American? The answer is of course "not very" if you know where to look. Simmermaker receives a small mention in this article that implies the popular but incorrect refrain that Toyota makes more cars here than GM or Ford.    Links Page Updated! Check out the patriotic website www.MadeInAmerica.us where it's all about US.    BAMW: No More Excuses! Everything You Wear Every Day Can Be Made in USA. Of course it isn't easy for American companies to employ 100% of their workforce in the United States, especially for the garment industry, but that is exactly what Union Jean & Apparel has done.    This Manufacturer Isn't Moving to China Some good manufacturing news for a change.    Rubbermaid closing Cleburne plant Notice Rubbermaid is shifting these jobs to another American factory, not overseas.    Beijing decries U.S. quotas for Chinese lingerie This is a good start. Let's hope tariffs on Chinese imports are next.    BAMW: American Apparel Maker Kicks-Off "100% Made in USA Campaign." Get ready to pat yourself on the back, because you are partly responsible for Quantum's kickoff of their "100% Made in USA Campaign."    Links Page Updated! Check out Diamond Cut Jeans and Union Jeans Company -- two proud companies that make their products in the USA!    BAMW: Textiles, Competition and Efficiency America's struggling textile industry garnered wide attention fairly recently with the bankruptcy of Pillowtex Corp., which has resulted in the largest permanent layoff in North Carolina's history. The invisible hand of the free market has been wreaking havoc across America, breaking records like this one left and right. The free market certainly isn't invisible to the good people of North Carolina, who have been permanently freed from their jobs.    Citrus industry fears for survival Have you noticed the language in these articles gets stronger as the situation gets more desperate? Wiping out the Florida tomato farmers didn't do much to lower the price of tomatoes or ketchup, as mentioned here. Free traders are using the same worn out argument that lower tariffs on imports mean lower prices for consumers.    A.T. Cross: Jobs to be transferred to China A.T. Cross executives have said in recent months that the company plans to keep a number of corporate functions in Rhode Island, including research and development, sales, marking, finance and some manufacturing operations.    We're working more, living less The reality of free trade.    House panel advances $128 billion tax cut for corporations, small businesses Guess who's going to make up for the lost revenue from this tax cut on business? Go look in the mirror. We would be far better off raising tariffs on imports so American businesses can compete thereby increasing revenue flowing into government coffers.    Aerospace Notebook: Canada on edge over 'Buy American' Another country upset over America's right to Buy American.    Wal-Mart's Hidden Costs Question: You mean to tell me Wal-Mart has something to do with factories closing in the United States and American jobs being outsourced? Answer: Yes.    Oshkosh B'Gosh will end U. S. manufacturing Oshkosh is following Levi's out of the country.    Buffet's investment bets against dollar It looks like even Warren Buffet is waking up to the fact that we need tariffs on imports.    Not just Rouge assets for sale The title of this article says it all.    Russian steelmaker in line to buy Detroit industrial icon Another example of losing our Independence and control of our own destiny as a nation.    BAMW: Buy American-Made and Spend Le$$ If you have a computer, you probably have a printer. If you have a printer, you must buy the ink cartridges for it. And the ink cartridges are usually, if not always, made in some foreign country.    Commission Says China Unfairly Supports Its Manufacturers Yes, China supports its own manufacturers. There's a lesson for America to learn in here somewhere.    As Levi's Work Is Exported, Stress Stays Home A sad story about a popular American brand gone astray.    The Future of Globalization An interview with one of my favorite authors. I highly recommend his book "One World, Ready Or Not."    Toyota to set up parts export center in Vietnam And you thought American companies were the ones moving overseas while foreign companies were setting up shop here.    Intel Chairman Says U.S. Is Losing Edge Straight talk from an American CEO at one of America's largest companies that can put his finger on the root cause of America's economic problems.    'Buy America' proposal divides leaders in Congress It's amazing that with the current jobless recovery, some members of our U.S. Congress look at Buy American provisions as a liability rather than an asset.    BAMW: Classic Leather Jackets - Made in the USA Have you had trouble finding an American-made leather jacket to wear when you are atop your America-made Harley-Davidson or maybe just out for a night on the town?    Skilled Workers Mount Opposition To Free Trade, Swaying Politicians The beginning of the inevitable and much-needed return of protectionism in the United States.    QUESTION: Are free-trade agreements good or bad for U.S. manufacturing jobs? A letter to the editor at the Northwest Indiana Times.    Perot gears up Will Ross Perot return to the national political landscape?    Conoco sells Circle K chain; Canadians pay $821 million America's biggest competitor to Japanese-owned 7-Eleven - Circle K - is being bought by a Canadian company.    Squeezed: Does Big Citrus Have a Future in Florida? A good article about Florida's fight for survival in the citrus market.    BAMW: American-made carpet should be cleaned by American-made vacuum cleaners How easy is it to find an American-made vacuum cleaner? Three American brands that stand out are Oreck, Hoover and Riccar....    Manufacturing repairs An otherwise great article with the exception of this popular, misguided insult of those who want to "protect" America's market primarily for the American producer: Heretofore, except for a few complainers dismissed as "protectionists," the declining role of manufacturing in America has not been seen as a matter of great concern.    Let's avoid headlong rush into trade deals Bill Virgin of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer asks, Is it time to call a timeout on trade negotiations?    Links Page Updated! Check out BuyHomelandGoods.com, which asks important questions like "How many Americans are out of work because their jobs went overseas? How many small businesses have suffered or are no longer in business because you purchased imported products instead of American?"    BAMW: Saving America's Footwear Industry, Part 2 It's great to see that the commitment to American workers in the U.S. is alive and well in so many U.S. footwear companies. Let's make sure they receive our footwear-purchasing dollars so it can remain financially possible to live up to their commitments....    Links Page Updated! Check out US1st.Org, which asks the question, When do we start worrying about our fellow Americans instead of sending money the world over? US1st is about helping fellow Americans first.    The Chattanoogan.com: In Defense Of The Steel Tariffs A Great Letter to the Editor by a BIG Supporter of How Americans Can Buy American!    Washington Post: In Wal-Mart's America A Great Article About an American Company We Believe Americans Should Avoid at ALL Costs!    BAMW: The New Economy's Latest Growth Industry: Pink Slip Producer Pink slip production may become America's most promising industry. If you don't have a job and are searching for one, you might try locating a company whose core business is churning out pink slips....    Links Page Updated! Check out ATMAC, the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition. Their mission is to preserve and create American manufacturing jobs through the establishment of trade policy and other measures necessary for the U.S. manufacturing sector to stabilize and grow.    Industry Week: Bye bye to 'Buy American'? "The Constitution essentially is a protectionist document. It protects those who abide by American laws from those who do not abide by American laws. What free trade does is it allows companies their own sort of protectionism, should they choose to exempt themselves from costly U.S. laws, and it victimizes the companies who stay behind to produce in America who do not voluntarily choose to exempt themselves from those same laws."    Lou Dobbs Quotes Roger Simmermaker in Article on U.S. Prosperity As Roger Simmermaker, who wrote the book "How Americans Can Buy American" put it, "China would have no interest in opening its markets to the United States because they enjoy almost unimpeded and unlimited access to our market while they practice protectionism at home."    BAMW: Saving America's Footwear Industry As America continues to lose manufacturing jobs at a dizzying pace, the footwear industry is no exception....    Links Page Updated! Check out Candle-licious Triple Scented Candles hand poured in Elgin, Illinois, and Today's American Dream where free enterprise and the American Dream are alive and well...    BAMW: Making the All-American Picnic All American is Harder Than You Think So you want to have the classic All-American Picnic or Bar-B-Que on July 4th to celebrate America's independence?...    BAMW: Don't Expect the Economy to 'Bounce Back' in 2003 Free trade economists keep repeating the same old lines. Last year about this time, they said the economy would bounce back in the second quarter. It didn't happen. Now their saying the same thing for the second quarter of 2003, and Business Week says they are absolutely right this time. Even a broken clock is right twice a day...    BAMW: Traveling American Style If you have had trouble finding American-made luggage, briefcases or laptop carriers like I have, look no further than Toughtraveler.com...    BAMW: Now Women Can Have Their American-Made Shirts Too Back on February 12, I featured PattonShirts.com as the Buy American Mention of the Week, and the result was a lot of positive responses by men who liked the American-made shirts for the "Man in Command." But what about the women?...    Wal-Mart's Phony Patriotism To many Americans, Wal-Mart seems as American as apple pie...    BAMW: SARS Epidemic Should Force Focus on American Alternatives There's no doubt about it. SARS has arrived. Not so much in America, but very much so in a major way in China. If the epidemic isn't controlled soon, two things are likely to happen...    The Oregonian: Consumers Must Exercise Power Have you noticed that China's economy is booming and ours is tanking? There is a very good book on this subject that I think should be mandatory reading for every American: "How Americans Can Buy American," by Roger Simmermaker...    USA Today: Boycott Grinds on Against French Food, Wine, Travel "There's still a lot of anger out there," says Roger Simmermaker, whose Web site touts the "biggest French Boycott List anywhere" of French companies. "This isn't going to go away anytime soon...    BAMW: It's Globalization Payback Time for Domestic Furniture Makers Furniture makers heavy with American workers on their payrolls are getting revenge on globalization these days. Call it "payback time." Furniture companies that have recently fired their American workers for low-cost wages in China are scrambling...    VOA - France Hopes for Better Relations With US Roger Simmermaker heads a buy-American organization in Orlando, Florida. His web site has published the names of French owned companies that are major players in the U.S. market. He believes French consumer goods companies are being adversely impacted...    BAMW: South Carolina Calls for French Boycott, Then Backs Down Claiming France gave "aid and comfort to Saddam Hussein," the South Carolina State Legislature declared "it makes no sense to buy French products, goods and services...    BAMW: Support American Wireless Technology for Postwar Iraq Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) has sent letters to the rest of congress, the Pentagon, and the U.S. Agency for International Development urging them to use a wireless cell phone technology (CDMA) that was developed by American-owned Qualcomm, Inc. of San Diego. Qualcomm is not in Rep. Issa's district. The congressman warned against using the GSM wireless technology, which was originally developed by the French, for an Iraqi cellular phone system.    BAMW: The Perfect Complement to American-Made Dress Shirts But where can you find American-made casual dress pants to complement those American-made shirts? ...    Simmermaker: Is it OK to Buy a Chrysler or Mercedes Made in the USA? Read these facts...    BAMW: Patriotic Shirt Maker Competes Head to Head with Ralph Lauren, Land's End One industry where it is increasingly difficult to buy American made is the apparel industry...    BAMW: Exactly the Reverse of What One Might Expect in the Toy Industry Americans don't have to choose from a long list of toys imported from Asia, because I've recently discovered a toy manufacturer that exports American-made toys to Asia instead...    BAMW: All White Dress Shirts, All American Made As dress shirt makers seem to gradually gravitate overseas, one company has stayed the course and kept their production in America...    Links Page Updated! American Wood Boxes, American (and foreign) supermarkets...    How to 'Buy American' "The thing about buying American -- a great thing -- is that it's truly nonpartisan. We all stand to benefit from buying American"...    BAMW: Domestic Furniture Company is a Bright Spot in a Hard-Hit Industry If you've found it difficult to locate the American-made furniture you've been searching for, your search may be over after you read this article.    Human Events Reviews "How Americans Can Buy American" Simmermaker has come up with a guidebook that lists brand-name companies in two general categories - foreign and American owned. The foreign-based companies are further listed by national origin.  In nearly every sector of the economy, Simmermaker offers a comprehensive list of products, goods or services that are by either foreign subsidiaries or American companies.    BAMW: A Buy American Strategy for Those Chinese Imports Wait a minute! Can "Buy American" and "Chinese Imports" be used in the same sentence or headline? The answer is "yes." Buying American is more than just about buying made in USA whenever possible. It's about supporting American companies who pay triple the amount of taxes to support our military and national defense, public hospitals, schools and libraries, as well as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid than foreign companies. We all benefit when there's more money available for these necessities.    BAMW: The Myth of the 2003 Economic Recovery As many economists are now predicting a 2003 rebound of the U.S. economy, this author, who is neither an economist nor has an MBA, is predicting there will be no such economic recovery in 2003.    BAMW: Oh What a Feeling - Toyota Outsells Chevrolet Should America be concerned that Toyota is now selling more cars in the U.S. than Chevy, or that they are about to outsell Ford next year? The short answer is "yes." Read on for the long answer.    The Apopka Chief Reviews How Americans Can Buy American An economy is about more than making money and getting what we want when we want it. It is about using our talents to care for our families and productively contribute to the community. Free trade destroys that basic role of production in an economy by allowing manufacturers move to the lowest price labor market in the world so they can expand their profits.    Tough Times For Jobless Parents Long-term unemployment is increasing most rapidly in families with young children, a children's advocacy group said Wednesday. Some 502,000 parents with children under age 18 had been unemployed for more than 26 weeks in October, up from 185,000 in October 2000, or a 171 percent increase, according to the Children's Defense Fund.    BAMW: The "Everything's Made in China" Myth Everything is made in China these days, or at least that is what I keep hearing. I can formulate my response to this deceiving and tiring pessimism in one word - Globalony! If we stop to think for a moment about the products we buy most often, and where we buy them, we'll remind ourselves that we visit the supermarket more than any other store. Now go take a peek inside your refrigerator and tell me how many items in there are made in China.    BAMW: Success of Steel Tariffs Should Shame Free Traders According to free traders, protective tariffs reduce imports and are supposed to promote a potentially disastrous isolationism. But according to the Wall Street Journal, certainly no beacon of protectionism or America First, imports of steel subject to the Bush tariffs are on the rise. Hot-rolled steel imports are up 40% from a year ago. Imports of coated sheet steel increased 30%. Plate steel imports rose a more modest 10%.    BAMW: Updated and Expanded Second Edition Now Available! The second edition of How Americans Can Buy American: The Power of Consumer Patriotism is now available. This new book is not only the best guide to buying American products available - it is the only guide available. Upon searching the bookstore shelves, Amazon.com, B&N.com (Barnes & Noble) and BAMM.com (Books-A-Million), it is amazing that especially after September 11 woke up the sleeping giant of patriotism in many Americans, no one else is writing about this subject in book form.    BAMW: A Victory for Hershey is a Victory for America The power of consumer-led, grass-roots petitioning shined in Hershey, Pennsylvania when the trust that controls the American candy maker's fate voted 10-7 not to sell the company on September 17th. In the days of mega-mergers that have only slowed their dizzying pace because of a downshifting economy, this is fantastic news.    BAMW: Driving Through Flint, Michigan Must Be Easy on the Eyes I've never been to Flint, Michigan, but I would love to at least drive though it. According to a recent Associated Press article, a whopping 96% of their citizens own or lease an American car. Driving is so much more pleasant when you are surrounded by smart people. How would I know if they are smart, you ask? Just look at what they are driving!    Crafted With Pride - Link Page Update Check out the new Crafted with Pride link!    Midwest Book Review Conducts Early Review of How Americans Can Buy American Reviews and Enthusiastic Endorsements for How Americans Can Buy American!    Buy America Campaign Check out the new Buy America Campaign link!    BAMW: Potential Sale of Hershey Proves Importance of Ownership One can only hope that the town of Hershey and surrounding Pennsylvania citizens will keep up the pressure to block the sale of this American icon. Even if the sale ends up going through, it's a good chance to show that the impact to Main Street is just as important, if not more so, than the impact to Wall Street.    Links Page Updated with SweatX! Check out the latest links to American-made products!    The Scorecard on Globalization 1980-2000: Twenty Years of Diminished Progress Low- and middle-income countries have fared worse in the past 20 years -- the so-called age of globalization -- than they did during the previous 20 years, and the fact is being ignored by mainstream economists, say analysts from a Washington think tank.    BAMW: There is Still Time fo Get Free Shipping We can't always stop foreigners from buying our country, but we can stop giving them the money with which to do it. The second edition of How Americans Can Buy American will be released soon, and there is still time to get free shipping on advance orders. The book is currently at the printer, and will be arriving in early- to mid-September.    BAMW: Stanley Backs Away From Bermuda It appears there is some sanity in a post-September 11 world after all. Stanley Works, after taking the heat from about every conceivable corner for their tax-avoidance scheme to re-incorporate in Bermuda, has finally backed off. Both the U.S. Congress and consumers questioned the patriotism of the proposed move.    Our Links Page Updated! Check out the latest links to American-made products!    A Comeback for Protectionism? One of the contributing factors to the market meltdown is the bearish policy environment in Washington — which is not reassuring investors, but chasing them out of the market. The rise of protectionism is a dramatic case in point. For the first time in two decades the free trade movement is in retreat. And it has been put in this position by an American president who keenly understands and eloquently articulates the virtues of free trade.    Is Protectionism America's Future? "For the first time in more than two decades, trade barriers are moving in the wrong direction. This isn't the 1930s ... but Pat Buchanan is one happy camper these days."    Rescued Miners Doing "Jobs Americans Won't Do" The successful rescue this weekend of nine miners trapped for days 240 feet below the surface of Pennsylvania transfixed the nation. Scenes of freezing, filth-covered men emerging alive one by one from the narrow rescue shaft delighted us, and reporters on location spoke in almost reverent appreciation of these men and the risks they take in one of the dirtiest and most dangerous jobs in America.    IronWorks Magazine Book Review of How Americans Can Buy American In his book Simmermaker distinguishes between American-made products and American-owned companies - an important difference - and provides information on a large variety of categories including food, appliances, tools and even services such as banks and insurance companies. The book is an eye-opener that just might influence how you spend your hard-earned bucks.    BAMW: It's Time to Turn Up the Heat on the U.S. Senate It's time to turn up the heat on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee to convince these Senators to consider HR 725, the Made in America Information Act! Over 160 online petitions have been printed and mailed to the ranking Democrat on this committee - Senator Ernest "Fritz" Hollings. The same 160-plus petitions have also been mailed to Senator Jay Rockefeller. The reason I have chosen these two Senators is because they have a history of advocating protectionism. Both have experienced job losses in their states through the textiles and steel industries, and both should be very receptive to this bill.    Our Links Page is Updated! Check out the latest links to American-made items!    BAMW: The Giant Sucking Sound in Reverse Did the government offer Bobs Candies any public money as incentive to expand their plant? No. Granted, Bobs is a much smaller plant with roughly one-fifth the jobs compared to Nissan, but the point here is that American companies are expected to locate their factories here, while foreign companies are not.    BAMW: More Foreign Companies Avoid U.S. Taxes I have long argued that one of the primarily-overlooked areas of the "Buy American" picture is that foreign companies operating in the United States don't pay their share of funding the costs of the American government. This means less money is available for Social Security, public schools, Medicare, Medicaid, police and fire protection, as well as funding for the military, national security and the war on terrorism.    Do 401(k)'s Give Workers an Illusion of Wealth? IN the long economic expansions of the 1980's and 90's, the wealth of middle Americans seemed to rise. Their stock portfolios and home ownership gave them the appearance of growing richer. But now it turns out that net worth went down, not up.    BAMW: What's On Tap? Friends don't let friends drive drunk. And friends don't let friends have their favorite beer flow from a foreign made tap either! As we continue to come at the Buy American issue from just about every conceivable angle, another easily overlooked category is the beer tap industry.    BAMW: Racks and Stuff You'll find all sorts of unique items on this website you simply won't find anywhere else. And not only are all the products made in America, they are made by a small business in Idaho. Anyone who has read either How Americans Can Buy American or the various articles I have written knows that I simply love to promote small businesses committed to making things right here in the USA.    BAMW: Teddy Bears - American Style! Vermont Teddy Bears cost a lot more than your usual cheap-import stuffed animals, but I'll bet that if we left all the Chinese made items on the store shelf that we often buy on impulse anyway, the money we would save over the year would be more than enough to buy at least one of these fine teddy bears and support American jobs.    BAMW: Protectionism and Prosperity Shines Through Harley-Davidson The Harley-Davidson of today is not only wildly popular in the United States, but there is also a huge following in Europe. As Euroland ponders which American exports to use as examples of retaliation for President Bush's 30% tariffs to protect the U.S. steel industry, European citizens are lobbying hard to keep Harley-Davidson off the list.    BAMW: Preserving Petroleum Independence America is slowly surrendering its ability to control the petroleum it offers to the American motorist. American petroleum companies have been snatched up by foreign companies with great vigor in the last few years, but the recent proposed acquisition of Pennzoil-Quaker State gives the merger mania a new twist.    BAMW: Buy American at the Beach Few American industries have struggled as much as the footwear industry, yet a few shining examples of American determination prevail. New Balance still makes about 30% of its shoes here, so no consumer patriot should be caught strolling with made in China Reebok's or Nike's.    BAMW: Get Ready to Sign the Buy American Petition The time has come for the Senate to stop ignoring the Made in America Information Act. Crafted by Representative James Traficant, Jr., HR 725, if passed by the Senate, would set up a toll-free line consumers can call to find out which products are American made.    A Message to our Patriotic Supporters This message is intended especially for those who have already signed an Advance Order Form reserving the forthcoming second edition of How Americans Can Buy American, but is also for all visitors of this website.    Update to Our Library Check out the new recommended reading in our library list!    Sign The Made in U.S.A. Information Act Petition! Please fill out this simple online form, and your petition will be used to grab the attention of the Senators that can move this bill forward. Your House of Representatives has spoken loud and clear. It is now time for the American People to speak even louder! Sign and send the online petition today!    BAMW: Who Said the American TV Industry Was Dead? One of the most difficult areas where Americans have trouble buying American is in the electronics industry. Televisions in particular are especially tough to find made in the USA. A few years back, I bought a General Electric TV that was made in Indiana. Back in 1995, one of my brothers bought a Bell & Howell TV from Montgomery Ward that was made in USA.    BAMW: Protectionism Lives Through Steel It seems that every professed free-trade president in recent memory has flirted in some way with protectionist policies, yet George W. Bush has come out with maybe not one of biggest tariffs in terms of percentage, but arguably one of the most significant in terms of industry and its relation to both economic and national security.    Links Updated Again! Check out the latest American-made products in our links page!    BAMW: Media Bypass reprints past Buy American Mention of the Week: Efficiency and Guacamole Economics Sales of Mexican guacamole easily passed the $100 million mark for the second year in a row in 2000, and that figure is expected to rise in the future. The reason? Restaurant owners are now switching from paying their restaurant workers $6 an hour to pit and mash avocados into guacamole to paying Mexicans to do the work instead. Although $6 an hour seems like quite a low wage in the United States, Mexicans can perform this task for about $50 a week. And it's just not avocados. Mexican exports of fruits and vegetables in general increased over 30% in 1998 alone.    BAMW: Profits Over Patriotism? It appears that the American worker and American consumer are not the only ones over-taxed in America. Apparently some American corporations feel they are paying too many taxes as well. According to a recent New York Times article, the trend of multinational corporations moving their headquarters to tax-friendly Bermuda is catching fire.    BAMW: The Power of an American Pencil America could be in danger of losing the pencil industry unless patriotic consumers raise their awareness. In 1991, just 16% of all pencils came from overseas. Today, however, almost half of the pencils bought by Americans come from overseas.    BAMW: Greater Competition from China? America faces a China that is transforming from merely an exporting platform to a nation of credible industry that extends beyond the long history of Nike, Tommy Hilfiger and other product knockoffs.    BAMW: Bucking the Trend of Big Mergers Companies that wish to remain independent are hard to find these days. In an era of ever-increasing globalization, few companies seem to find it in their best interest to deny the urge to merge, and are willing to counter the conventional wisdom that bigger is better.    BAMW: American Only By Name? In addition to looking at products hoping to find "Made in USA" on the package or tag, an untold number of consumers often fall back on how "American" a brand name might sound.    BAMW: Applesauce is Applesauce, Or is It? Let's support the companies that truly support America. White House did so enthusiastically long before September 11 woke up a sleeping-giant nation of patriots.    BAMW: Cooper Tire Keeps the USA Rolling Fortunately, Cooper makes their automobile tires (and belts and hoses, etc.) in the United States, and is also an American owned company.    BAMW: A Day with Joe Smith After receiving several copies of the "Joe Smith" email, instead of simply replying to the senders saying "thank you, but I have seen this before," I decided to respond in a way that would tell people just where we stand in our manufacturing capability for the items listed below.    BAMW: Wal-Mart - Putting America First? It appears that Wal-Mart is at it again, and although many people tell me that Wal-Mart would be a great place to market my forthcoming second edition of How Americans Can Buy American, I refuse to cater to this company, whose Buy American campaign is, for the most part, a sham.    BAMW: Dan River, Inc. Dan River is a sheet and fabric maker headquartered in Danville, TN. On December 13, the company announced they were closing two plants in the U.S. and transferring operations to other locations. Where are they transferring the jobs to? Right here in America!    More Shoppers Make Effort to Buy American Buying American-made products - from electronics and textiles to automobiles - always has been a goal among some consumers. They see it as a way of protecting jobs and supporting the country.    'Made in USA' More Important, Survey Reports "People are looking for answers," said Mr. Simmermaker, author of the 1996 book, How Americans Can Buy American, which is to be updated and re-released in the spring. "You heard the calls for patriotic investing when the stock market reopened, but without an extensive stock portfolio to invest, a lot of Americans have to find another way to show their patriotism," he said. "They can make their vote every day at the stores. They can vote with their pocketbook."    How to Donate to the War and Relief Effort Without Spending Another Dime! As we Americans struggle to understand and absorb what occurred September 11 and what unfolded in the weeks that followed, many have looked for ways to show their patriotic support for their country.    Trade Balance: When Workers Lose Out Yet efforts to aid American workers hurt by competition from imports have been feeble. Until recently that didn't threaten the post-World War II momentum towards ever-freer trade. Now it does. "We can no longer presume a domestic consensus on the benefits of openness," U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick warns, with understatement.    Our Published Response to the Wall Street Journal When America was a greater manufacturing power, we paid the highest wages in the world. There are now no less than 12 other nations that pay higher wages to their workers, and 11 of them happen to have a higher percentage of their workforce employed in manufacturing. The key to future U.S. prosperity lies in retaining and creating manufacturing jobs, not voluntarily destroying them.    Introduction to Buying American Buy American! It is more easily said than done. What most people normally think of when you mention the term "Buy American" is going to the store, looking at the product label to find out where the product is made. But there is more to buying American than just made in USA. There are actually three parts to the "Buy American" picture.    Questions and Answers American owned companies pay 3 times the taxes to our government than do comparable foreign owned firms. American owned companies employ 2 1/2 times as many Americans in the parts or parts content sector than do comparable foreign owned firms. This is evidence that not just "made in USA" means American jobs, but so does buying from an American owned company.    Charley Reese - Keep America's Ship Sailing Should patriotism and economics be a blend or should both matters be kept separate? I think that they have to blend. If we love our country, then it follows that we want it to prosper. If we feel affection for our fellow citizens, it follows that we want them to prosper. If we love the land and waters of our country, then we must want a prosperous country, because preserving the environment is very expensive.    Free Trade or Protectionism? Peter Lynch, in his book "One Up Wall Street," says that by his second year at Wharton College, it seemed most of what he learned there that was supposed to help him succeed in investment business, could only help him fail. He studied statistics, advanced calculus and quantitative analysis, which taught him things he saw happening around him couldn't be happening. He was using his common sense.    Myths of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff To be able to accurately explain the affects of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff of 1930, it is necessary first to rid ourselves of popular myths so that we can start with a clean slate and derive conclusions from fact, rather than fantasy. I will list some common myths here, and then disprove them using facts according to history. The myths that prevail, even today, some 61 years after the tariff bill was signed by President Herbert Hoover....