America’s Biggest Trade Export to China? Trash

Reader Comments

Back to blog

This is quite a fascinating read. I'm sure the cheap consumer goods that are exported from China are helping Americans produce more & more trash.

trashyB of CA 2:54AM May 04, 2012

But metal is what you make things with. If America sells too much of our metal away all we'll have is only paper money witch is only good if you have products to sell to support it with.

frevre of FL 9:16PM February 15, 2012

This article is a in effect good article. Lossing worth is benificial seeking your vigorousness and happiness.

hcg diet review of AL 6:22PM December 12, 2011

CHINA exports alot of JUNK. The clothes they make rip very easily, their ceramics and toys break easily. They really have no quality in their products. I am a consumer, and if I can find a product that says MADE IN THE USA, I will buy it even if it costs more than CHINA made product, because it normally has better quality.

T of FL 6:54PM December 04, 2011

wtf is this

aaaaaaaa of FL 9:31AM November 04, 2011

We are producing plenty of trash indeed. Look at who's in the White House.

Steve of NY 9:39PM October 24, 2011

Jodie,

Perhaps a bit long after the article, but can you give me a reference for the point noted: "the fastest growing and now No. 1 export category is--"Scrap and Trash," especially the "now No. 1" part?

I can find references to it growing (from the 2009 trade shifts report) but only referring to "iron and steel waste and scrap".

Mark Buchanan of ID 12:14PM September 28, 2011

If China is today's world leader why does the world still look to the U.S.A. for humanitarian relief and protection every time a situation arises? There is more to being a global citizen and world leader than the size of your economy.

jake of NC 9:39PM July 11, 2011

My uncle runs a scrap metal business in Pennsylvania. 100% of all metals they buy go to a broker in Baltimore. He buys from the entire east coast. 100% of what he buys goes to China. There are few buyers in America because we have lost so many of our factories that we make very little here. Both political parties have sold us ut, unions have sold us out. Treason is the word to use. China has "Most Favored Nation Status/" Why does any nation have this? We could not possibly win another world war without factories to produce what we need to survive/

Dave of OH 8:27AM June 19, 2011

This country is finished.

of 7:27PM May 12, 2011

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

Back to blog

Jodie Allen

Jodie Allen

Jodie Allen is senior editor at the Pew Research Center. She joined the Pew Center from U.S. News & World Report where she was a managing editor and the business editor and also wrote a bi-weekly column on the political economy. She came to U.S. News from Slate Magazine, where she was the Washington bureau chief. Before joining Slate she was the editor of Outlook, the Sunday commentary section of the Washington Post. She has also been an editorial writer and business columnist with the Post.

advertisement

Robert Schlesinger

Obama's Mixed-Bag Week

The Obama camp can celebrate Dick Lugar defeat, but should worry about the Scott Walker recall.

Mary Kate Cary

Obama Attacks as Economic Cliff Looms

The president can't afford to talk about the economy, but with a 2013 fiscal time bomb approaching, the rest of us can't afford not to.

Concordia Ship Disaster

The Costa Concordia luxury cruise ship keeled over after it ran aground off the coast of Italy.

advertisement