Who Will Defend US Glass & Glazing System Manufactures From China?
At JEI Structural Engineering, we have a great deal of respect for Donald Trump. His leadership and success are obvious and we love the Apprentice shows. It’s possible that he could be the champion that the US Glass industry needs. However, one haunting fact remains. Why would Mr. Trump call the Chinese “Cheaters” and then proceed to make such large purchases from them, over US manufactures? I don’t think he buys much from street corner vendors, even if they are the lower priced, same quality supplier. This doesn’t seem presidential to me.
It’s true that our economy needs strong leadership and it makes sense to choose someone with strong business skills and negotiating strength. Mr Trump certainly has these skills and that makes me lean his way. However, I’m tired of political strategies that concern themselves with giving lip service to issues with no action or results. I think we need bold leaders willing to speak truth, admit mistakes, and make hard choices, even when the consequences hurt. For Mr. Trump, maybe that means buying glass and glazing systems from US Manufactures, starting today, while working to level the playing field for tomorrow.
Here’s an excerpt of Trump’s comments so you can make your own analysis.
Appearing on CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight” Wednesday night, Donald Trump said, “The first thing I would do is announce very strongly that we’re going to tax Chinese products — 25% tax on all Chinese products. They will come to the table immediately and stop manipulating their currency which they’re doing,” he said. “I see them as the enemy,” he said. “They want to take over this country economically. They are not really out-competing. And they are cheating. And we have people who don’t know what to do, because we have the wrong people in office.”
Trump replied, “Piers, you have to level the playing field. I buy so many products, glass as an example, a curtainwall for a building, and they all come in and 90 percent of the companies with the glass are coming in from China. I don’t want to buy glass from China. But our companies can’t compete. Not because they’re not good. Not because they’re not even better but because of the fact that the Chinese are manipulating their currency. They make it very, very tough for us to compete.” read more CNN
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