They are actually our third largest customer for exports and growing dramatically. Last year Tennessee exports to China were just under $2 billion dollars. A lot of it is agricultural products, but there's plenty of other stuff as well. It's a terrific and growing market and opening an office there is good business by Bredesen. There's a reason over 100 business and government leaders went along on this trade mission.

(link...)

In 1999, Tennessee exported just over $114 million
in goods to China, making the PRC the state’s
16th largest foreign market. If we add Hong Kong,
today an entrepot for much of the trade with China,
state exports stood at $261 million, making it the seventh
largest market. We currently appear to run a small
trade deficit with Hong Kong, but a much larger one
with China itself. These are large numbers but, relatively,
China is not a major destination for Tennessee
exports. State foreign sales to China and Hong Kong
together constitute only 2.4 percent of Tennessee’s
total exports, and Tennessee is the origin of less than
one percent of all of America’s exports to China.
China has not been a particularly good market
for the state over the past few years, either.

More recent studies show you're right. Things have changed.

There is some concern though about the affect increased exporting is having on the job market here at home. (link...)

"In recent years, production at U.S. textile mills has fallen by nearly half, from 11.5 million bales to roughly 6 million bales during the almost-completed 2003-04 market year, which runs from August through July. A bale is equal to about 480 pounds of cotton.

U.S. production has been replaced by foreign textile mills in countries with significantly lower labor costs, with China picking up the lion's share of the business."

And..

"Two developments involving the World Trade Organization could move future U.S. cotton exports in either direction. In April the WTO sided with Brazil in a trade dispute that contended government subsidies for U.S. cotton growers violated international trade rules. The Bush administration is appealing the decision, but May said removal of the subsidies is likely to hurt U.S. exports by raising their prices."

What is good for global corporations is not always good for the American worker.

I also think this short Senate hearing transcript is helpful to those who want to understand more about China Trade. (link...)

Carole, don't go around that stuff alone. It can hide all kinds of creepy crawlies and, if you're not fast enough, cover you over when you're not looking. Of course it's a bit slower this time of the year, but you may want to borrow a goat to take with you.

Not sure if a cell phone signal will penetrate the mass.

I watch a lot of old horror films on TCM.

Wearybottom Associates

Now you're getting the picture.

If we could just figure out how to turn that stuff into ethanol, we could be rich beyond our wildest dreams.

Wearybottom Associates

If we could just figure out how to turn that stuff into ethanol

The beauty of this is that when we do figure out how to make ethanol we can just build the plants around the edges of the kudzu jungle and just let it grow itself into the process. There'd be no need to harvest or transfer it until it's been turned into ethanol. It wouldn't remove any of the kudzu already established, but we could curb the further growth and encroachment.

Boycott Chinese Products Project

Project description:

If the fact that our pets were poisoned doesn't matter to you, how do you feel about poison in your toothpaste, food, and toys for your children? Are you mad enough now to demand products made in the USA and with American standards?

Have you considered spreading the word to your friends, family members, online and offline communities to Boycott All Chinese Products?

Please help us spread the word.

The power of freedom rests with the individual and is essentially economic power. Just as you undermine the judicial system by purchasing stolen goods you undermine any moral sanction 'freedom' as a political ideal has if you trade with it's enemies. Whatever the government or law condones, the individual is free to chose who s/he agrees with and votes accordingly; with the mighty dollar.

It is not a matter of quality of goods or quality control nor even the potential of a subversive attack on the food supply that would stop a rational man from giving China money but the principles of political freedom versus communism.

You cannot trade with a slave without benefiting his master.

Please write, email, and call the Tennessee State Legislature, your city and county mayors councils outlaw the sale of products from the Communist Chinese being sold in our state. We certainly do not need to support the Communist Chinese Regime!