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Do You Buy Chinese Tires?
Boats
Member Posts: 414 ✭✭✭
I hope that this hasn't come up before but I am really curious as to how many forum members refuse to buy Chinese tires for their vehicles? I was at the tire store and it is run by an old high school buddy and his Dad and ask him what trailer tires that they had. All of the tires that he carried were Chinese and I politely told them no thanks. Tires are not the biggest expense that we have but it is sizable and it bugs me to see that money going out of the USA. China and other countries are doing their best to rob us of all industry and I do my very best to buy US made items. One trip to ChinaMart and I would bet that half of it goes to another country. I ask them about trailer tires and they had Chinese tires at least $25 cheaper than a US tire but I won't go for it. A second part of this question is could some of you suggest a good US tire for a travel trailer because I need to buy a set in the next month or so. Thanks to all of you that are willing to suggest some. I just hope that I am not alone in not buying Chinese tires.
Comments
Jon
C&P...
"""While there are many variations of Chinese import tires that have come under attack, companies that have been the subject of forced government recalls include:
Westlake Tires
AKS Tires
Telluride tires
Compass Tires
All of these brands of cheap tires are made by the China-based Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Company; furthermore, it is alleged that these tires lack even the most basic of safety features such as gum strips which are a rubber feature that helps prevent steel belts inside the tire from separating or damaging the rubber."""
Cooper tires please. Both the cars I own are shoe'd with MADE IN OHIO!
BTW, you can thank our own government for making China the number one manufacturing economy in the world.
Michelin has plants in the USA, Cooper makes tires in China and the USA. Many China manufacturers are building plants in the US to produce tires here.
There is one over riding truth we better face and get used to. We are competing in a global economy. The US government does a poor job of managing our competition but the economies of the worlds countries is being tied closer and closer together.
I usually by Michelin tires made in SC.
We sell thousands of Chinese tires a month. The biggest issue is the major unions running the show at tire companies. The costs are high, production is slow and old school thinking is hurting us all. Many medium truck (semi truck and trailer) tires come from China.
Michelin has plants in the USA, Cooper makes tires in China and the USA. Many China manufacturers are building plants in the US to produce tires here.
There is one over riding truth we better face and get used to. We are competing in a global economy. The US government does a poor job of managing our competition but the economies of the worlds countries is being tied closer and closer together.
It's the one big flaw in our political world now.The hypocrisy of the love of money over patriotism with honor.
The USA will lose any moral authority the next time they wave the flag to fight Communism.The USA is just another experiment of governance that will fail as long as they/we have double standards for the elites that control us.
The Big Lie is truly correct and Adolph Hitler was right. Tell the lie long enough and people will buy it.
serf
The expression was coined by Adolf Hitler, when he dictated his 1925 book Mein Kampf, about the use of a lie so "colossal" that no one would believe that someone "could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously.
I don't believe in willingly handing dollars over to a foreign enemy nation who wants to destroy us.
Washington DC?
People are buying Chinese and are not even aware they are doing so.
BTW, you can thank our own government for making China the number one manufacturing economy in the world.
People should look at the label.
It is not our own government this time, chiefr. It is us. It is the American consumer that wants to save a few dollars. Those few dollars are the difference between providing a living wage to an American worker and sending that money overseas.
I have never been forced to buy a Made in China product by government at any level, and neither have you. Until we as individuals accept our part in this, we will not turn it around.
Look for the Made In U.S.A. Label. You will find it more than you may suspect.
Brad Steele
I try to limit what I buy made in China and I don't think I would every buy tires from there.
I usually by Michelin tires made in SC.
I have to correct myself I bought some tires for my pull behind aerator at TSC and they were made in china.
My wifes car(a Ford) came with Hankook tires made in Korea. So far they have done well. When they need replacing I plan of buying Michelin tires.
As far as General tires go I would not put them on a wheelbarrow, I don't care where they are made. I had them on a truck I bought and they sucked.
I don't believe in willingly handing dollars over to a foreign enemy nation who wants to destroy us. I work hard at buying American in all things.
Cooper tires please. Both the cars I own are shoe'd with MADE IN OHIO!
Giving the Chinese an opportunity to make and sell goods to the U.S. was one of the best ideas to date.
Visualize "1,355,692,576 (July 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1.
That's Billion,, armed with nukes and intercontinental ballistic missiles and they are "starving". Their leader is similar to that "*" in North Korea. I'd be worried about THAT.
Plus,, while the U.S. was "diddling around" with free trade in Colombia, Panama and South Korea,, guess who was gaining market share?
If the american product is more expensive I will buy it provided the quality is there to support the price. It seems some American companies want to tout the "Buy American" idea to their advantage yet fail to provide the product worth the price they are asking. But snake oil salesmen are an old dodge so I guess we can expect some of that. May they go bankrupt as a reward.
One of my concerns. What is the real difference between buying a foreign product from a communist country or buying an American made product produced by unions that financially and manually support those who wish to destroy the American free enterprise system and individual liberty along with it?
I want to buy quality American products at a fair market price. I do not want to buy over priced American products of same or lessor quality as the cheaper imported product.
If the american product is more expensive I will buy it provided the quality is there to support the price. It seems some American companies want to tout the "Buy American" idea to their advantage yet fail to provide the product worth the price they are asking. But snake oil salesmen are an old dodge so I guess we can expect some of that. May they go bankrupt as a reward.
One of my concerns. What is the real difference between buying a foreign product from a communist country or buying an American made product produced by unions that financially and manually support those who wish to destroy the American free enterprise system and individual liberty along with it?
You do understand that food (and most consumer goods) cost more than twice as much in the U.S. as they do in China.
Obviously, a living wage in the U.S. is more that twice that of what it is in China.
It is silly to expect the same quality from an American made product for the same price as one from China. The costs of production are simply higher, be it raw material, labor, taxes, etc.
One just needs to decide what being an American means on an individual level without looking for excuses and ways to ease one's conscience. We all know the real reason is just to save a buck or two. I only ask if it is worth it when it is done at the expense of American workers and the American economy in general.
If you want to read something into the above that is not specifically stated; feel free to do so.
Brad Steele
quote:Originally posted by SCOUT5
I want to buy quality American products at a fair market price. I do not want to buy over priced American products of same or lessor quality as the cheaper imported product.
If the american product is more expensive I will buy it provided the quality is there to support the price. It seems some American companies want to tout the "Buy American" idea to their advantage yet fail to provide the product worth the price they are asking. But snake oil salesmen are an old dodge so I guess we can expect some of that. May they go bankrupt as a reward.
One of my concerns. What is the real difference between buying a foreign product from a communist country or buying an American made product produced by unions that financially and manually support those who wish to destroy the American free enterprise system and individual liberty along with it?
You do understand that food (and most consumer goods) cost more than twice as much in the U.S. as they do in China.
Obviously, a living wage in the U.S. is more that twice that of what it is in China.
It is silly to expect the same quality from an American made product for the same price as one from China. The costs of production are simply higher, be it raw material, labor, taxes, etc.
One just needs to decide what being an American means on an individual level without looking for excuses and ways to ease one's conscience. We all know the real reason is just to save a buck or two. I only ask if it is worth it when it is done at the expense of American workers and the American economy in general.
If you want to read something into the above that is not specifically stated; feel free to do so.
You addressed quality but you didn't even mention the rest. Like how in good conscious we are supposed to buy American made products when the people making the product are supporting the destruction on our constitution and with it each of our individual liberties and the liberties of the generation to follow. You are right each of us needs to decide what being an American means.
As for the cost of stuff in China you may be surprised at what quality products do cost when you do the conversions. Food also, especially beef, pork, and chicken.
What you assume to know as stated in your post is just that, what you assume.
quote:Originally posted by Don McManus
quote:Originally posted by chiefr
People are buying Chinese and are not even aware they are doing so.
BTW, you can thank our own government for making China the number one manufacturing economy in the world.
People should look at the label.
It is not our own government this time, chiefr. It is us. It is the American consumer that wants to save a few dollars. Those few dollars are the difference between providing a living wage to an American worker and sending that money overseas.
I have never been forced to buy a Made in China product by government at any level, and neither have you. Until we as individuals accept our part in this, we will not turn it around.
Look for the Made In U.S.A. Label. You will find it more than you may suspect.
^^^ what Don said is correct.
China would not make a penny in the USA IF we, the people, quit buying the junk made in China.
[^]
You need to look at manufacturing in China and manufacturing in USA from a business perspective.
Just why is government the problem. I can sum up in 4 ways.
1. Taxes: We have the highest corp taxes in the world. Add in state county, and municipal taxes fees and licenses. Also property taxes must be paid on the facility. Did you know business property in most states is taxed at a higher rate. In some states inventory and equipment are taxed. I could add a dozen more different taxes that must be paid for those interested. Taxes are a product of governments.
Most of China is state owned -- +1 for China
2. Regulations: One could spend months explaining how compliance costs of government regulations affect all business both large and small.
How about the Dodd/Frank causing your bank to document and report transactions to 10 federal agencies.
How about chicken farmers having to air condition or put vent fans in hatching and rearing facilities. Later the government determined the vent fans caused pollution and forced added expenses to put filters inline in the vents or face stiff fines.
How about menu labeling provisions of the ACA.
How about government mandating certain percentage of corn be used to make ethanol.
How about CAFE standards on automobiles.
How about tariffs and trade agreement's which fall under regulations.
EPA regulations are so strict on some items/substances one can no longer manufacture in the USA.
China has few if any odious regulations to drive costs. +1 China
3. Employer Mandates: Cost employers pay to place a person on a payroll. IE: Half of Medicare, Half of Social Security, unemployment taxes, workman's compensation. How about the Family Medical Leave Act, How about the ACA forcing employers to pay healthcare insurance.
How about certain states like CT forcing employers to pay for sick days. Are you aware of congress in 2008 considering forcing employers to pay for FMLA absences? A 12 week paid vacation. The 2010 election killed this idea.
China does not have mandates driving up labor and business cost.
+1 for China
4. Contemptuous attitude toward capitalism and hostile legal environment. Little explanation is needed here. Everyday in MSM and out of the mouths of politicians you hear, "Big Oil", "Big Tobacco",
"Big Pharma" How about the relentless disparagement of CEOs simply because they make good salaries. Socialist Marxist class warfare espoused daily and a justice system spring loaded to file a lawsuit.
Need I say another plus for China
quote:Originally posted by us55840
quote:Originally posted by Don McManus
quote:Originally posted by chiefr
People are buying Chinese and are not even aware they are doing so.
BTW, you can thank our own government for making China the number one manufacturing economy in the world.
People should look at the label.
It is not our own government this time, chiefr. It is us. It is the American consumer that wants to save a few dollars. Those few dollars are the difference between providing a living wage to an American worker and sending that money overseas.
I have never been forced to buy a Made in China product by government at any level, and neither have you. Until we as individuals accept our part in this, we will not turn it around.
Look for the Made In U.S.A. Label. You will find it more than you may suspect.
^^^ what Don said is correct.
China would not make a penny in the USA IF we, the people, quit buying the junk made in China.
[^]
You need to look at manufacturing in China and manufacturing in USA from a business perspective.
Just why is government the problem. I can sum up in 4 ways.
1. Taxes: We have the highest corp taxes in the world. Add in state county, and municipal taxes fees and licenses. Also property taxes must be paid on the facility. Did you know business property in most states is taxed at a higher rate. In some states inventory and equipment are taxed. I could add a dozen more different taxes that must be paid for those interested. Taxes are a product of governments.
Most of China is state owned -- +1 for China
2. Regulations: One could spend months explaining how compliance costs of government regulations affect all business both large and small.
How about the Dodd/Frank causing your bank to document and report transactions to 10 federal agencies.
How about chicken farmers having to air condition or put vent fans in hatching and rearing facilities. Later the government determined the vent fans caused pollution and forced added expenses to put filters inline in the vents or face stiff fines.
How about menu labeling provisions of the ACA.
How about government mandating certain percentage of corn be used to make ethanol.
How about CAFE standards on automobiles.
How about tariffs and trade agreement's which fall under regulations.
EPA regulations are so strict on some items/substances one can no longer manufacture in the USA.
China has few if any odious regulations to drive costs. +1 China
3. Employer Mandates: Cost employers pay to place a person on a payroll. IE: Half of Medicare, Half of Social Security, unemployment taxes, workman's compensation. How about the Family Medical Leave Act, How about the ACA forcing employers to pay healthcare insurance.
How about certain states like CT forcing employers to pay for sick days. Are you aware of congress in 2008 considering forcing employers to pay for FMLA absences? A 12 week paid vacation. The 2010 election killed this idea.
China does not have mandates driving up labor and business cost.
+1 for China
4. Contemptuous attitude toward capitalism and hostile legal environment. Little explanation is needed here. Everyday in MSM and out of the mouths of politicians you hear, "Big Oil", "Big Tobacco",
"Big Pharma" How about the relentless disparagement of CEOs simply because they make good salaries. Socialist Marxist class warfare espoused daily and a justice system spring loaded to file a lawsuit.
Need I say another plus for China
I'd say you did a pretty good job right there.
Labor unions have had a large part in killing manufacturing in the US.
Sorry,...you simply can't pay someone 80 to 100K in wages and benefits to do unskilled manual labor. That's just a fact whether one likes it or not
quote:Originally posted by Don McManus
quote:Originally posted by SCOUT5
I want to buy quality American products at a fair market price. I do not want to buy over priced American products of same or lessor quality as the cheaper imported product.
If the american product is more expensive I will buy it provided the quality is there to support the price. It seems some American companies want to tout the "Buy American" idea to their advantage yet fail to provide the product worth the price they are asking. But snake oil salesmen are an old dodge so I guess we can expect some of that. May they go bankrupt as a reward.
One of my concerns. What is the real difference between buying a foreign product from a communist country or buying an American made product produced by unions that financially and manually support those who wish to destroy the American free enterprise system and individual liberty along with it?
You do understand that food (and most consumer goods) cost more than twice as much in the U.S. as they do in China.
Obviously, a living wage in the U.S. is more that twice that of what it is in China.
It is silly to expect the same quality from an American made product for the same price as one from China. The costs of production are simply higher, be it raw material, labor, taxes, etc.
One just needs to decide what being an American means on an individual level without looking for excuses and ways to ease one's conscience. We all know the real reason is just to save a buck or two. I only ask if it is worth it when it is done at the expense of American workers and the American economy in general.
If you want to read something into the above that is not specifically stated; feel free to do so.
You addressed quality but you didn't even mention the rest. Like how in good conscious we are supposed to buy American made products when the people making the product are supporting the destruction on our constitution and with it each of our individual liberties and the liberties of the generation to follow. You are right each of us needs to decide what being an American means.
As for the cost of stuff in China you may be surprised at what quality products do cost when you do the conversions. Food also, especially beef, pork, and chicken.
What you assume to know as stated in your post is just that, what you assume.
Spent a month in China an number of years ago, and at the time, the Graduate Degreed Chemical Engineer I was working with made the equivalent of U.S. $ 125.00 per month. He was able to save over half.
It is significantly different today, but any search you do will reveal what I said is fact, and that the Chinese workforce continues to be paid substantially less than the U.S. workforce as a result.
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_countries_result.jsp?country1=China&country2=United+States
I am really curious as to which union you would ignore in favor of buying a Chinese product.
United Farm Workers? Good idea - shop for food at the Dollar Store.
UAW? - China does not yet import cars.
SEIU? - Probably does not apply.
Teamsters? - You going to not buy anything that has ever been in a truck? Or are you going to verify the each particular item has not been in a truck driven by a Teamster.
There may be a few, but for the most part, items you will buy that are in completion with Chinese made products are not affected by the main activist unions. If you care to point out where I am wrong here, please do.
I am still fairly confident in my earlier assessment.
Brad Steele
only once that came with a tilt equiptment trailer [xx(]
I replaced mine also
They are cheap but not lasting.
You get what you pay for in tires. Check Consumer Reports B4 buying tires to be certain.
quote:Originally posted by chiefr
quote:Originally posted by us55840
quote:Originally posted by Don McManus
quote:Originally posted by chiefr
People are buying Chinese and are not even aware they are doing so.
BTW, you can thank our own government for making China the number one manufacturing economy in the world.
People should look at the label.
It is not our own government this time, chiefr. It is us. It is the American consumer that wants to save a few dollars. Those few dollars are the difference between providing a living wage to an American worker and sending that money overseas.
I have never been forced to buy a Made in China product by government at any level, and neither have you. Until we as individuals accept our part in this, we will not turn it around.
Look for the Made In U.S.A. Label. You will find it more than you may suspect.
^^^ what Don said is correct.
China would not make a penny in the USA IF we, the people, quit buying the junk made in China.
[^]
You need to look at manufacturing in China and manufacturing in USA from a business perspective.
Just why is government the problem. I can sum up in 4 ways.
1. Taxes: We have the highest corp taxes in the world. Add in state county, and municipal taxes fees and licenses. Also property taxes must be paid on the facility. Did you know business property in most states is taxed at a higher rate. In some states inventory and equipment are taxed. I could add a dozen more different taxes that must be paid for those interested. Taxes are a product of governments.
Most of China is state owned -- +1 for China
2. Regulations: One could spend months explaining how compliance costs of government regulations affect all business both large and small.
How about the Dodd/Frank causing your bank to document and report transactions to 10 federal agencies.
How about chicken farmers having to air condition or put vent fans in hatching and rearing facilities. Later the government determined the vent fans caused pollution and forced added expenses to put filters inline in the vents or face stiff fines.
How about menu labeling provisions of the ACA.
How about government mandating certain percentage of corn be used to make ethanol.
How about CAFE standards on automobiles.
How about tariffs and trade agreement's which fall under regulations.
EPA regulations are so strict on some items/substances one can no longer manufacture in the USA.
China has few if any odious regulations to drive costs. +1 China
3. Employer Mandates: Cost employers pay to place a person on a payroll. IE: Half of Medicare, Half of Social Security, unemployment taxes, workman's compensation. How about the Family Medical Leave Act, How about the ACA forcing employers to pay healthcare insurance.
How about certain states like CT forcing employers to pay for sick days. Are you aware of congress in 2008 considering forcing employers to pay for FMLA absences? A 12 week paid vacation. The 2010 election killed this idea.
China does not have mandates driving up labor and business cost.
+1 for China
4. Contemptuous attitude toward capitalism and hostile legal environment. Little explanation is needed here. Everyday in MSM and out of the mouths of politicians you hear, "Big Oil", "Big Tobacco",
"Big Pharma" How about the relentless disparagement of CEOs simply because they make good salaries. Socialist Marxist class warfare espoused daily and a justice system spring loaded to file a lawsuit.
Need I say another plus for China
I'd say you did a pretty good job right there.
Labor unions have had a large part in killing manufacturing in the US.
Sorry,...you simply can't pay someone 80 to 100K in wages and benefits to do unskilled manual labor. That's just a fact whether one likes it or not
I Agree Marc, however, labor unions exist because b]GOVERNMENT[/b] protects them.
There was a time labor unions were needed IE the advent and years following the industrial revolution. We have laws today that protect workers.
Labor unions are bureaucratic in a sense, because there main strategic goal is to retain power and merely survive.
Why are UNIONS needed when we have SEVERAL federal agencies to protect workers and handle any employee grievances?
Sadly, Unions survive by financing campaigns. I never understand why unions place many millions into campaigns when this money should be used for member benefits.
We sell thousands of Chinese tires a month. The biggest issue is the major unions running the show at tire companies. The costs are high, production is slow and old school thinking is hurting us all. Many medium truck (semi truck and trailer) tires come from China.
Michelin has plants in the USA, Cooper makes tires in China and the USA. Many China manufacturers are building plants in the US to produce tires here.
There is one over riding truth we better face and get used to. We are competing in a global economy. The US government does a poor job of managing our competition but the economies of the worlds countries is being tied closer and closer together.
I am shocked you weren't labeled a LIBERAL.
And even more amazed at those who support a free market economy and won't be bullied into buying or not buying based on country of origin.
At the same time there were Americans of both liberal and conservative persuasion who thought the Chinese Communists could be defeated from within. By allowing them to take over American manufacturing jobs, turning the American economy towards service jobs. Thinking the Chinese population would revolt once they attained similar economic status to Americans.
This thinking sacrificed American jobs, weakened our ability to recover from economic downturns and has not had the desired anti-Communist effects in China.
However, lots of rich people made even more money on the deal.
So the Chi-Coms win, Capitalists at the top of the food chain win, and screw all the rest that pay to make t possible.
Until the day comes when we find out if the ChiCom long term strategy is superior to American leadership's short term daydreaming.
quote:Originally posted by Sam06
I try to limit what I buy made in China and I don't think I would every buy tires from there.
I usually by Michelin tires made in SC.
I have to correct myself I bought some tires for my pull behind aerator at TSC and they were made in china.
My wifes car(a Ford) came with Hankook tires made in Korea. So far they have done well. When they need replacing I plan of buying Michelin tires.
As far as General tires go I would not put them on a wheelbarrow, I don't care where they are made. I had them on a truck I bought and they sucked.
Was on a trip several years back and had 2 tires blow on the camper (sequentially, not at the same time). (stems had dry rotted) Only place open on a saturday with tires that fit was TSC pretty sure they are made in China. I bought 3 and new stems all the way around. (and extra stems and install tool) We stopped at the rest area on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel and one was starting to go down. Took me a while to get the stem changed and reinflated. I try not to buy Chinese, but sometimes a chinese tire is better than no tire.....
There is also the strategy being employed by the Chinese that ChrisinTempe speaks of. We are in an economic World War right now, and our side refuses to fight. We do not have to roll over and play dead, but that is basically what we have done. The Chinese have been using the copycat market to knockoff about every product they can get their hands on, and since we are allowing their military leaders to send their children here for an education, they can get their hands on a lot of stuff.
Probably one of the largest external factors in the trade imbalance is the manipulation of currency exchange that China engages in. When a country has a trade surplus with other countries, one would expect the value of its currency to rise. People and companies are buying that currency to purchase goods in that country, so supply and demand say that strong desire for a particular currency should result in rising values to that currency. It makes for a self adjusting system, because the people in that country would then use that excess money to purchase things from the other countries and balancing the trade.
But China treats their trade surplus as a national asset. Rather than the Chinese people and companies using that excess capital to purchase goods and services from other countries, the Chinese government uses the funds to buy foreign currency on the market, thereby artificially increasing upward pressure on the international currency values.
So rather than the self adjusting system that one would expect in what is supposed to be a free market system, the manipulation of the value of the Yuan results in continual trade surpluses for China, and a strong dollar for the folks holding lots of them.
As with any game, if one party doesn't play by the rules, they will usually do very well. If the other teams sit back and take it, they will be beaten.
quote:Originally posted by chiefr
People are buying Chinese and are not even aware they are doing so.
BTW, you can thank our own government for making China the number one manufacturing economy in the world.
People should look at the label.
It is not our own government this time, chiefr. It is us. It is the American consumer that wants to save a few dollars. Those few dollars are the difference between providing a living wage to an American worker and sending that money overseas.
I have never been forced to buy a Made in China product by government at any level, and neither have you. Until we as individuals accept our part in this, we will not turn it around.
Look for the Made In U.S.A. Label. You will find it more than you may suspect.
Whether I'm buying or just window shopping with the wife...
I've gotten in the habit of looking for that MADE IN THE USA label.
One evening several months back, I dared the wife to find 'something' in the Big High Dollar Clothier Store we were in.
I told her, "You find something... ANYTHING with a USA label in it."
"And I'll BUY IT... Right here, RIGHT NOW. No matter the price."
She searched that damn store High and low...
Couldn't find one damn thing in over two hours.
I've not gone back since... Neither has she.
She's finally started looking for the tag as well.
It prides her much, when she finds one, and she can claim she's helped our economy.
One of the issues is this... By law...
As long as 51% of the value was procured or made in the USA...
It can legally be adorned with the MADE IN THE USA label.
Doesn't mean that it actually was 100% made here... Just that 51% or more was.
quote:Originally posted by retroxler58
...
One of the issues is this... By law...
As long as 51% of the value was procured or made in the USA...
It can legally be adorned with the MADE IN THE USA label.
Doesn't mean that it actually was 100% made here... Just that 51% or more was.
Yes, but this is more gimmick than anything else because there's a catch here too. Under the law, the "made" part can include the cost of assembly here in the US, and the labor rates for this assembly are hugely inflated compared to those of China. So the components of the product can be 100% outsourced, but equation is balanced when you introduce hugely inflated labor costs in the US. Voila', "Made in the USA".
[;)]
FCD, 100% outsourced, you are 100% correct.
Practically all circuit boards and micro electronics are outsourced to China or somewhere in Asia. The end product may be assembled in Mexico and driven across the border on a truck (NAFTA).
Already mentioned on forums that over 95% of all glass used in optics are imported and assembled in places such from Beaverton OR to Miami FL. Countless other products have a similar relationship.
Also worthy of mention is in certain the manufacturing processes there are chemicals and components used the federal government or the state of California or other states have deemed hazardous material.
Thus the costs to store, process, and scrap HAZMAT makes it cost prohibiting or against the law to manufacture here in USA.
We have deemed China "favorable trade" status. China is also the benefactor of a large portion of our 18 Trillion debt. Although there are many who have animosity toward China, our government apparently does not share these views.
I am tired of hearing that as an excuse to buy Chinese crap no matter who's name is on it. I want to know where it's made and then I'll make my decision IF I spend my money with you. PERIOD!!!