Is it China's fault they are producing inferior products?

Question

or the fault of US corps. not properly overseeing their operations?

Answer 1

I think it is the responsibility of the Corp. for not managing on the manufacturing end. If my name is on the product I should be sure it is a safe product for the consumer.

Answer 2

They are producing products that don't really need to be high quality.

How long does a toy have to last?

But, they are making dangerous products.

They found a way to enhance pet food with a dangerous chemical that makes it look better.

Overwhelming a country that has just recently come out of the dark ages to make mass quantities of products with archaic equipment and practices is a bad idea.

They will catch up. The US industrial complex will provide them with the tech necessary to catch up now that they have been found out.

In the meantime, they are leading the world for out-sourcing.
They damned near started a war in the Solomons for taking over the business community and trying to compete with the Taiwanese there requiring the Australians and New Zealanders to send troops and police.

That is much more dangerous to us than some tainted pet food.

Take a look: http://www.pekingduck.org/archives/003631.php

Answer 3

The first time, I may have bought the argument that it is China's fault. At this point, we know that they will do anything to save 2 cents in the manufacturing process so any corporation that purchases products from China must be vigilant in maintaining quality control standards. This is particularly true when dealing with products for our children.

Some responsibility has to rest with the consumer also though. We know that we are paying a few cents less for an inferior product but we buy them anyway.

Answer 4

I wouldn't exactly present the problem that way, but you're on to something.

China is experiencing industrialization at an unprecedented rate in history. It makes the industrial revolution in America and Europe look tame in comparison. On the ground, this is the wild west of capitalism. Our neat little business models don't apply there and nobody is in control of what's going on.

Companies and consumers in the U.S. have fallen sway to the idea of paying low, low prices. China can deliver, but the types of guarantees we have grown accustomed to may not be there. And whatever globalization economists say, reliance on China for manufactured goods may be economically suicidal.

We want jobs in America and we want quality products. But when China starts offering the stuff we make here at a fifth of the price (or less), most customers' ideals go out the window.

China is preparing to enter the automobile market next. You think the big three are hurting now?

Answer 5

It is Chinese manufacturer's as well as the greedy U.S. businesses. It is up to both to make sure products fall within an acceptable standard. We never had problems as numerous as now when the items were produced in America.

When I say greedy, example: go to Wal Mart or anywhere else for that matter and look at the sunglasses. They are mostly made in china, they are junk and cost on average $29.99 for polarized. You can get made in the USA safety glasses of the same type for $5.95 to $9.95, Uvex being one company that comes to mind. Why do the chinese glasses cost more? Ask the greedy businessman, only they know why.

CORPORATE GREED.

Answer 6

The Chinese government is ultimately responsible for not mandating higher standards regarding working conditions and overall product safety.

However, it's also high US consumer demand for such cheaply made products that is the driving force behind the rush to get such goods out to store shelves. American multinationals share in the blame for their lack of oversight (or outright negligence) regarding their overseas operations. There is blame to go all around.

Answer 7

Partly, but the real culprit is the American consumer with their demand for low cost products. We hear, in light of the most recent toy recall, why can't we make things in the U.S.? The reason is because we don't want to pay the price. Well we are now. Hindsight is 20/20, but I'm pretty sure that many US and Chinese executives saw the potential for disaster, but chose profits for themselves and shareholders. P.T. Barnum would have been proud.

Answer 8

There's an old saying; "You get what you pay for." Does it not occur to anyone that you still pay the same price for things as you did when they were made at home. The only difference is the profit margin. I would say the problem lies with the greed of both parties.

Answer 9

It's the fault of the government also for not inspecting. Capitalism will not regulate itself entirely.

Review of the Jungle, by Upton Sinclair:
"While Sinclair’s main target was the industry’s appalling labor conditions, the reading public was most outraged by the disgusting filth and contamination in American food that his novel exposed. As a result, President Theodore Roosevelt demanded an official investigation, which quickly led to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug laws."

http://www.amazon.com/Jungle-Barnes-Noble-Classics-B/dp/1593080085/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/105-8551883-9834827?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189081442&sr=8-2

Answer 10

Everyone flocked to China because of the non-regulatory and low-tax environment. Now you see what that leads to, toxic products. I have had to set products from China & Mexico aside so many times for quality issues it's literally not funny. And let's not forget the consumer's role in this mess. The constant demand for low-price is driving much of it.