Made in China: The Impact of China on The United States

Introduction

Try to remember your first trip to a toy store; all that excitement bottled up inside you like little fireflies trapped in a mason jar. You pick out one or two of your favorite “American” toys, ride home in your parents’ “American” car, and enjoy a nice tall glass of patriotism. The problem is: a good 80 to 90 percent of those toys were simply thought up by a boardroom full of marketers and exported out to China, where smog clings to air like white on rice. While some might argue that the United States is currently reinventing itself to become more independent, China still funds vast corporations, owns a huge amount of American debt, and exports products that have become completely ingrained within our society, both economically and culturally. This may not be all bad for a five-year-old wandering into a toy store for the first time, but it sure as hell proves dangerous for anyone with even a slightly developed mind. The dependence on Chinese industry after so much industrial growth within the U.S has skyrocketed.

Economic Impact

In fact, in just July of 2018, a total of 47 billion dollars were made through Chinese imports, whether they be steel or toys (United States Census Bureau, 2018). This number is nearly double what we make from Canada or Mexico. It seems so ingrained in our culture; to accept the fact that China made this and that and the next thing, but did you ever once stop to question it? A United States without China is a hollow shell of industry, desperately scrounging for steel, wool, and hundreds of other materials. The influence China has on the U.S doesn’t just affect the economy, it also affects our culture. Think of the countless times you’ve seen a child crying at Walmart, or running up and down the aisles with their new lightsaber. Toys, while being a huge industry, have a significant emotional bearing on kids in general. Without toys, kids would have almost no way to interact with important pieces of American culture, which creates a divide that could be a serious detriment to future generations. This divide comes in many forms, including motivation, social interaction, and even mental health issues.

Social and Cultural Implications

A study done by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) revealed that 90 percent of preschool children’s play involves a toy. Simply put, without China, 90% of child playtime would completely vanish, resulting in less motivated, less interactive, and less healthy American citizens (NAEYC, n.d.). A popular reaction of Americans to the statistics on this subject is to attempt to live life without exported or imported products, whether it be as a patriotic stance, or a more centralized individual concern. One author, named Sara Bongiorni, and her family took a shot at this lifestyle for one year, and subsequently, she wrote a book on her experience entitled: A Year Without “Made In China”: One Family’s True Life Adventure in the Global Economy. Sara told Reuters News: “I used to see the Commerce Department trade statistics, the billions of dollars, and think it had nothing to do with me.” As her challenge went on, she realized how hard it actually was to omit all Chinese products from everyday life. She says that “Shopping became meaningful.” Keep in mind that this book was written in 2008, when the United States was still the largest manufacturer on the planet (Bongiorni, 2008).

The Shift in Global Manufacturing

In 2010, China displaced the United States as the largest manufacturing country (United States Congressional Research Service, 2010), meaning that every experience described in her book can be reasonably multiplied twofold. America is not on the rise; imports and exports have gone up, and patriotism has fallen to an all-time low. Like a bedridden patient, living off chicken-noodle soup and oyster crackers, America rests. However, with persistent efforts and unswayed minds, we will regain our strength. It will take time, but to quote the great president Theodore Roosevelt: "Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, and difficulty." And when we put in that pain, difficulty, and effort, the term “American” will be revered as it once was again.

Conclusion

The relationship between the United States and China is complex and deeply intertwined, affecting both economies and cultures. As the U.S. continues to navigate this intricate relationship, it must focus on innovation, resilience, and a strategic approach to rebuilding its manufacturing prowess. The path forward will require collective effort and a renewed sense of purpose, but the potential rewards are significant and enduring.

References

• Bongiorni, S. (2008). A Year Without “Made In China”: One Family’s True Life Adventure in the Global Economy. John Wiley & Sons.
• NAEYC (n.d.). National Association for the Education of Young Children.
• United States Census Bureau. (2018). Trade in Goods with China. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c5700.html
• United States Congressional Research Service. (2010). China’s Economic Rise: History, Trends, Challenges, and Implications for the United States. Retrieved from https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL33534