Aisling Gorham

Important Trade between China and U.S.

Cars
U.S. China
Background Information:
WHO China is the third largest importer of U.S. cars such as Fords, Jeeps, BMWs and Nissans
and Toyotas.
WHAT U.S. made cars and sports utility vehicles and light trucks.
WHERE The Middle East and China
WHEN From 2002 to present, it has been growing ever since 2002 and the last time statistics
were taken, in 2014 the exports were 2.1 million. This was the first time the exports reached over
2 million. The total increase is 8% since 2013 and 73% since 2004.
WHY America has more utilities and factories to produce cars at a faster rate than China or Asia
as a whole. It is a low cost place to make cars as well, there is more competitive labor rates and
leaner manufacturing.
HOW They focus production on exports and watch currency exchanges to see if it is beneficial
to produce a certain amount of cars.
Electronics
Background Information:
ChinaU.S.
WHO The U.S. imports 135.9 billion dollars worth of electronics from China. China exports a
total of 22% of the U.S. total imports.
WHAT All electronics such as iPhones, TVs and computers. More specifically, computer
software, communication equipment and electronic parts.
WHERE China supplies electronics to all of the U.S. including everyones favorite brand apple.
WHEN From 2005 to present (documented)
WHY Chinas total exports of electronics totalled 262.8 billion dollars. Chinas electronic
company is foreign capital-led and export oriented.
HOW Their electronic products are desired by many people in foreign countries and they make a
lot of money off of this participation, they frequently have a surplus of money from trading
which boosts their economy.
Attitudinal Scale Link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf41VE2hBJyUsrVir4RGp_ggmr9ZPl7ZOt37NWZ
wfWtIiSQmA/viewform
In depth Interview Questions:
https://docs.google.com/a/bostonk12.org/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSediYa-zVmlJqsBlUWBXaZcYQt
HySnbhIoZk03QG_Dw4VJjOA/viewform
Data analysis (of questions)

Brighid:
1. Are cars a necessity to all people, why or why not?
No because people in urban areas can walk to work/school or take public
transportation.
2. Are the conditions of factories in China acceptable because we benefit from the
products, why or why not?
No because monetary value cannot be placed over human rights, and the conditions in
sweatshops are deplorable and there have been cases in China where companies have
to board up windows to prevent people from jumping out.
3. Would you support ceasing trade with China even though we would lose
electronics and they would lose cars? Why or why not?
No, because I think profit and modern technology needs to continue in both countries,
but conditions for Chinese workers must be reformed.
Mikayla:
1. Are cars a necessity to all people, why or why not?
They are not a necessity, but a luxury. The earth benefits more when we walk, bike, or
roller skate, etc. Most business people and heavy travelers "need" cars for work, but
poor people and low class workers still manage, unfortunately, without cars.
2. Are the conditions of factories in China acceptable because we benefit from the
products, why or why not?
No, the treatment of workers is never okay, it is not humane and it only makes America
look worse. Chinese people are human too, and while they may be far away, many don't
understand that the suicide rates and depression rates are caused by low pay and
terrible services.
3. Would you support ceasing trade with China even though we would lose
electronics and they would lose cars? Why or why not?
No, because both countries benefit, there is no need to stop something that can be
simply fixed with care. I wouldn't cease, but instead work to make circumstances better,
for both sides. Especially fair for all people involved.
Kyle:
1. Are cars a necessity to all people, why or why not?
2. A
re the conditions of factories in China acceptable because we benefit from the
products, why or why not?
3. W
ould you support ceasing trade with China even though we would lose
electronics and they would lose cars? Why or why not?

After reading the in depth interview answers from my classmates I was not
shocked by their answers. I agree with both Brighid and Mikayla about factory
conditions needing to be changed and made better for the workers. Even though China
allows for access to cheap labor it is not okay for America to take advantage of the
workers. I also agree that some people do not need cars for survival because of access
to public transportation and or living in urban areas. And finally I agree that we should
maintain trade between ourselves and China to give each other things we cannot afford
to make; however, working conditions need to be changed to ensure the continuation in
years to come.
Policy change suggestion
I think that factory conditions for factory workers has to be improved in order to ensure fair and
beneficial trade between the United States and China.
Conclusion Reflection & Summary
In order to maintain trade between China and the U.S. conditions in factories need to change.
Factory workers in China need to be given access to basic human rights and they need access to
the same luxuries American factory workers have. It is important to maintain trade between the
two countries because they aid each other by giving products the other countries cannot make
alone due to external costs. U.S. has the comparative advantage in car making because
they have leaner manufacturing and more utilities and factories to make the cars in a
timely manner. China has the comparative advantage of electronics because they are
desired by many foreign countries and they normally have a surplus of money due to
trading electronics. Chinas total exports of electronics amounted to over 200 billion
dollars. The trade between China and the U.S. is beneficial to both parties and gives the
countries a surplus of money.

Blog Link
aislinggorhamatbls.weebly.com
APA Style Citation:
The Peoples Republic of China United States Trade Representative. (n.d). Retrieved December
20, 2016, from https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/China-Mongolia-taiwan/peoples-republic-china
President. B.S. (n.d). China: trade in used cars by car age 2016\ statistic. Retrieved December 20,
2016, from https://www.statistica.com/statistic/278111/china-trade-in-used-cars-by-age/