Buy American Project

Buying American in the News Archives

These 15 Companies Are Leading The American Manufacturing Renaissance

ISI has issued a comprehensive report called Investing in the U.S. Manufacturing Renaissance. Among other things, it cites 48 instances of U.S. companies or industries expanding or bringing back production capacity in the states. We've boiled down the more significant ones.

Go beyond your bland domestic beer and sip a brew with unique flavor and distinctive taste!

Our mission is to support the outstanding craft beer made in American-owned breweries. Many of the best-known domestic beers with iconic American symbols are not owned by Americans. These brands dominate the advertising and distribution channels, but their profits leave our country.

Made in the USA: More Consumers Buying American

A curious thing is happening among American shoppers. More people are taking a moment to flip over an item or fish for a label and ask, is it "Made in the USA?" The recession, and still flat recovery for many Americans, have created a painful realization. All those cheap goods made in China and elsewhere come at a price - lost U.S. manufacturing jobs. A growing pocket of consumers, in fact, are connecting the economic dots between their shopping carts - brimming with foreign-made stuff - and America's future.

Senator wants American products for public buildings

"It's a simple concept and that is to buy American. And I think the reasoning behind that is we ought to support those American industries that continue to do manufacturing in the states," explained Sen. Teague, D-Nashville.

GM to invest $600 million in Kansas City car plant

The investment is part of the U.S. automaker's previously announced plan to spend $1.5 billion on its North American plants this year, up from the $436 million last year. GM invests $8 billion annually on its operations globally.

Made in USA makes comeback as a marketing tool

Small manufacturers, craftsmen and retailers are marketing the Made-in-USA tag to score do-gooder points with consumers for employing stateside, says Margarita Mendoza, founder of the Made in America Movement, a lobbying organization for small manufacturers.

Wal-Mart to Hire Vets, Buy American

The plan includes hiring more than 100,000 veterans in the next five years, spending $50 billion to buy more American-made merchandise in the next 10 years and helping its part-time workers move into full-time positions.

Central Florida author pens second book on US buys

When you're a leading advocate for buying American-made products such as Roger Simmermaker, what you wear and what you drive tends to be important. Shoes from SAS (San Antonio Shoes), and pants and belt ordered through the All American Clothing Co., an online retailer that sells only products made in the United States. How about his car? A 1995 Lincoln Town Car, not to mention he still owns and sometimes drives the 1972 Buick LeSabre he drove as teenager. Both vehicles were made in America.

U.S. Clears DNA Firm's Acquisition by Chinese

Some scientists, politicians and industry executives had said the takeover represented a threat to American competitiveness in DNA sequencing, a technology that is becoming crucial for the development of drugs, diagnostics and improved crops.

Made in America?

Given a choice between a product made in the U.S. and an identical one made abroad, 78 percent of Americans would rather buy the American product, according to a new nationally representative survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

New Balance 996 "Grey/Navy" Made in USA | Holiday 2012

Finishing off another remarkable calendar year, New Balance continues to impress with footwear from their Made in USA line. One of their most celebrated silhouettes, and a personal favorite of ours, the M996 runner gets dressed in soft patriotic tones to ring in the new year.

Apple to Move Mac Mini Production to America: Report

Foxconn, the Taiwanese manufacturing company that makes the iPhone handset, among other Apple components, would be responsible for handling the establishment of production, DigiTimes reported.

Companies Promote 'Made In USA' Slogan Carefully

The Whirlpool Corp., for example, specified in full-page print advertisements this year that 80 percent of its appliances "sold in the U.S. come from our U.S. factories."

Report: American-made goods a hit with holiday shoppers

U.S. made goods are a bigger hit with holiday shoppers than those made in China.

Next-Generation Chevrolet Camaro To Have Made in U.S.A. Label

General Motors announced on Wednesday that production of the next-generation Chevrolet Camaro will move from Oshawa, Ontario to Lansing, Michigan.

Apple's next Macs will be made in the USA

"We've been working for years on doing more and more in the U.S. Next year, we're going to do one of our existing Mac lines in the United States," Apple CEO Tim Cook told NBC's Brian Williams. He cited several components of the company's products that are already manufactured in America, notably the processors and screens in the iPhones.

The Black Friday Challenge: Buy One American-Made Item

In fact, 87 percent of voters support a preference for American-made products when the government is building infrastructure or buying goods and services. A strong majority of Americans believe the quality of American manufacturing is on the rise. Americans have warm feelings towards American-made products, and decidedly negative views of 'Made in China.'

New Buy American legislation may permanently shut out Canadian goods

'Protectionist measures that restrict Canadian market access to US infrastructure projects are already leading to demands for similar restrictions in Canada,' Myers told a panel of US trade experts in Washington.

Starbucks gives a huge jolt to small pottery maker with 'Indivisible' mugs

Initially, Starbucks wanted 100,000 mugs, an impossible order for American Mug. McClellan didn't have the employees, time or line of credit with which to buy supplies. So Starbucks connected him with the Opportunity Finance Network, which secured funding through a small lender to provide the capital for a 20,000-piece order, the largest in American Mug's history.

Study: Consumers Prefer 'Made in USA'

Quality is a key driver in this consumer preference, the study noted. 85% of consumers in the U.S. and 82% in China believe American-made products have higher quality.

Toyota recalls U.S. Priuses in 2.77M global recall

Toyota's own faulty specifications led to Wednesday's recall of 670,000 older Prius hybrids in the U.S. for potentially defective steering, the automaker acknowledges. And about 350,000 of those same Priuses also were recalled Wednesday for water pumps that could cause the cars to stall.

Popular wrench fights Chinese rival

The tools have one significant difference, Mr. Craig noted. The Bionic Wrench is made in the United States. The Max Axess wrench is made in China. The shift at Sears from a tool invented and manufactured in the United States to a very similar one made offshore has already led to a loss of American jobs and a brewing patent battle.

Kansas Democrats propose 'Buy American' law

Democrats in the Kansas Legislature proposed a "Buy American" law Thursday to require state agencies to use U.S.-manufactured goods in public works projects.

Made in America markets create communities of like-minded consumers

Adachi and Kennedy were already fans of some of the brands at NorthernGRADE, a pop-up menswear market of American-made goods making its Chicago debut two years after launching in Minnesota. Meeting the crafters, designers and small-business owners behind the brands added to the appeal, they said.

Hyundai, Kia overstated gas mileage, EPA finds

Hyundai and Kia overstated the gas mileage on 900,000 vehicles in the past three years, a discovery that could result in sanctions from the U.S. government and millions of dollars in payments to car owners.

Lawmakers want explanation for China-made boots

Two members of Congress plan to urge the Defense Department to ensure U.S. troops wear only American-made uniforms and gear after Air Force Times revealed this summer that an airman deployed to Afghanistan was given Chinese-made boots by his unit.

U.S. sets hefty duties on Chinese stainless steel sinks

The decision is a victory for Elkay Manufacturing, a nearly century-old Illinois company that in March accused its Chinese competitors of selling the sinks in the United States at unfairly low prices.

America's Manufacturing Crisis: Finally Harvard Gets It

Some of us have long argued that the United States has been committing economic suicide by letting its once-peerless manufacturing base fade away. To those who have investigated the facts, the case has, for decades, seemed unchallengeable.

A Label That Has Regained Its Luster

Even as the "Made in the U.S.A." label has grown scarce, thanks to the offshore manufacturing in apparel and other industries, it has acquired cachet as a signifier of old-school craftsmanship, even luxury.

Mom and Pop store in Orange only sell American-made

Everything in the store - refrigerators, washers, dryers, ranges - is made in the United States, as are its owners, Harry and Margie Stephens.

Hyundai recalls some Santa Fe, Sonata for air bags

The Santa Fe recall involves nearly 200,000 vehicles in the 2007 to 2009 model years. Hyundai dealers will reprogram the front passenger air bag sensors so they will accurately detect when a small adult is seated.

Dumping China for American job shops

U.S. small businesses that initially rushed to Chinese factories to get their products made are now dumping them for American manufacturers. Mitch Free, the founder and CEO of Atlanta-based MFG.com, said his company has seen a 15% uptick in inquiries since 2009 from U.S. firms looking for American factories to replace their Chinese suppliers.

Can the U.S. handle a manufacturing comeback?

For years, U.S. manufacturers worried about business being sent overseas. Now, as signs point to a resurgence of American-made goods, a new fear is emerging: that there won't be enough skilled workers to keep up with demand.

BAMW: An American-made marketing mindset

Finding American-made products at brick-and-mortar stores is becoming more common as these stores spring up across the nation. But big kudos go to Norton's USA, as they were an early pioneer in what is becoming one of today's national trends.

Ralph Lauren to make 2014 Olympic uniforms in the U.S.

In response to the controversy, Ralph Lauren Corp. announced Friday that it was committed to producing Team USA uniforms for the 2014 Winter Olympics in America. "Ralph Lauren promises to lead the conversation within our industry and our government addressing the issue of increasing manufacturing in the United States," the company said.

Capitol Hill joins criticism of 'Made in China' U.S. Olympic uniforms

Team USA may be comprised of America's best athletes, but their uniforms have a more foreign origin. The patriotic red, white and blue outfits designed by Ralph Lauren to be worn during the opening ceremony were made in China.

Toyota to recall Lexus SUVs; floor mats can trap gas pedal and cause acceleration

Toyota's problems with runaway acceleration just won't go away. Three years after the company recalled its first cars to fix the problem, it has identified two more models at risk, the 2010 Lexus RX 350 and RX 450H SUVs.

Ford's Success Rests Upon a Strong Middle Class, Says CEO Alan Mulally

The company's seven U.S. assembly plants continue to churn out gleaming new cars and trucks and the No. 2 automaker in the U.S. plans to hire an additional 12,000 U.S. workers to build its cars over the next few years.

Will 'Made in the U.S.A.' Give Google Gadget a Leg Up?

Google Inc. is bucking convention. The Nexus Q, Google's first foray into designing and producing its own hardware in-house, will be manufactured in the U.S. The Nexus Q, unveiled on Wednesday, is a $300 black orb-shaped amplifier capable of wirelessly streaming music and playing video to connected devices inside a home.

8 Employers Buck Outsourcing Trend, Bring Jobs Back To America

Peerless Industries Inc., a maker of mounting systems for flat-panel TVs, Peerless recently shifted all its manufacturing from China to a new facility in suburban Chicago, creating 85 U.S. jobs. The move was done in part to reduce operating expenses and regain "complete control" of production.

Woman creates store to sell US only products

A local woman (Blue Ridge, GA) was laid off and her job was outsourced overseas. Instead of looking for a new job, Robyn Posey decided to create one and help others keep their jobs in the process.

U.S. orders tariffs on Chinese solar panels

The Obama administration ordered tariffs of 31% and higher on solar panels imported from China, escalating a simmering trade dispute with China over a case that has sharply divided American interests in the growing clean-energy industry. The Commerce Department announced the stiff duties Thursday after making a preliminary finding that Chinese solar panel manufacturers "dumped" their goods -- that is, sold them at below fair-market value.

U.S. Imposes Anti-Dumping Duties on Chinese Solar Imports

The U.S. Commerce Department imposed tariffs of 31 percent to 250 percent on Chinese solar-product imports, siding with companies including SolarWorld in the U.S. that said the items were sold below the cost of production. The fees, announced today in an e-mailed statement, add to duties as high as 4.73 percent imposed earlier for getting unfair subsidies from China's government.

TVs assembled in America draw buyers

Element Electronics has moved the assembly of its larger televisions from Asia to Canton, Mich., and they've already sold out for the year now that several chain stores have taken notice. NBC's Kevin Tibbles reports.

The Buy American Project

Roger Simmermaker is one of four citizens behind the Buy American Project, a non-profit organization that educates both consumers and legislators in their belief that we can revitalize the American economy by renewing our manufacturing base and buying American made products.

Bridge Comes to San Francisco With a Made-in-China Label

SHANGHAI - Talk about outsourcing! At a sprawling manufacturing complex here, hundreds of Chinese laborers are now completing work on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

San Francisco subway system adopts 'buy American' policy

BART is the first transit agency in the nation to give preference to companies that manufacture most of their trains in the U.S., a move that makes it eligible for federal funds. At a recent press conference hailing the policy, California Congressman John Garamendi said BART's choice was simple: "It can support our foreign competitors, or help create thousands of jobs for American workers and signal to the world that American manufacturing is back in business."

Senate passes "Buy American" legislation

A Democrat-backed bill dubbed the "Buy American" act passed the Senate Monday on a party-line 20-15 vote. Derided by one Republican senator as "gesture politics," Senate Bill 4 would provide an incentive to companies bidding on state contracts to purchase American-made goods.

Buford shoe maker plans expansion

The company, maker of Okabashi and OKA b. label footwear, plans to start producing private label shoes. The move could mean an additional 150 jobs at its factory in Buford, the company said.

More "Made in America" Vehicles Now Headed Abroad

GM is in the process of pouring $2 billion into 17 of its U.S. plants in eight states, promising to retain or create 4,200 jobs in the process. Likewise, Ford's contract with the UAW spells out much of the company's increasing investments in its U.S. plants-up to $16 billion in new products and additional plant capacity-in part to stage jobs now being imported from Europe, China, Japan and Mexico.

Suntech provides 3.4 MW of solar panels for Edwards Air Force Base

The more than 12,000 solar panels provided for the project, which started generating power in February 2012, were made at Suntech's manufacturing facility in Goodyear, Arizona. Solar panels produced at Suntech's Goodyear facility are compliant for procurement in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and Buy American Act projects.

DC to buy American-made streetcars for new trolley line; previous vehicles manufactured abroad

The district previously purchased three streetcars made in the Czech Republic. Mayor Vincent Gray announced Thursday that the district will buy two additional streetcars from Oregon Iron Works Inc., which is the only domestic manufacturer of such vehicles. It's based in Clackamas, OR.

Red, white and true

Buying American is not only about supporting American jobs, Simmermaker said during an interview from his home state of Florida. It's about supporting American-owned companies that pay taxes to the U.S. Treasury.

President to receive New Balance sneakers | The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME

U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, D-2nd District, planned to present the sneakers to the president Friday evening at a fundraiser at the Portland Museum of Art. They are made with natural pig skin, mesh and labels manufactured in the U.S.

Buy American: Bill inspired by ECC trustee concerns passes the Senate - Elgin Courier News

Trustees' hands were tied, he was told. The Illinois Community College Purchasing Act requires colleges to take the lowest bid. On Wednesday, legislation introduced by state Sen. Michael Noland, D-Elgin, to change that law, making it possible for community colleges to take into account where an item was made when making purchasing decisions, passed the Illinois Senate.

Sherrill Manufacturing resumes flatware production with boost from Internet retailer

A big order from an Internet-based retailer has let Sherrill Manufacturing begin making stainless-steel spoons, knives and forks at the former Oneida Ltd. factory for the first time in nearly a year.

Roemer slams China in front of Chinese Embassy

Calling China a "bear" that eats American jobs with unfair trade policies as its fork, presidential candidate Buddy Roemer made his jobs speech Thursday in front of a location he called the "bear's den" - the Chinese Embassy.

Lipinski introduces "Buy American" Bill

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-Western Springs, today introduced the Buy American Improvement Act, to create jobs by eliminating loopholes in existing Buy American laws so that taxpayer money buys products made in the U.S., not in foreign countries.

Burnet passes 'Buy American' resolution

Burnet County Commissioners passed a resolution for county leaders to make a conscious effort to buy American-made products in hopes of raising awareness about supporting the United States economy.

U.S. releases millions to develop railways, create jobs

Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released $336.2 million to five U.S. states to invest in American-made trains for their existing rail networks. All told, including previously awarded funds, California, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, and Washington will receive a combined $782 million to buy 33 quick-acceleration locomotives and 120 bi-level passenger cars, according to a DOT statement.

Can Manufacturing Fuel a U.S. Recovery?

See Roger Simmermaker's contribution to a New York Times 'Room for Debate' online forum.

US exports millions of chopsticks to China

Georgia Chopsticks, based in the southern state of Georgia, is producing two million sets of the traditional eating utensils each day. They cost less than a penny each to make and are being sold in Chinese supermarkets.

New Balance struggles as last remaining major U.S. athletic shoemaker

For decades, shoes coming in from China and Vietnam, the largest sources of imported footwear, have been hit with tariffs of as much as 20 percent or more. The company’s primary concern is that any free-trade agreement with Vietnam would likely eliminate the steep tariff on footwear imported from that country, making Vietnamese sneakers even cheaper than they already are. New Balance employees earn upward of $10 an hour, plus benefits, while labor costs in China are about $1.50 an hour, and even less in Vietnam.

Study: St. Louisans Prefer American Made Cars

CarGurus founder Langley Steinert says St. Louis finished right behind Detroit and ahead of Cleveland, in the number of people looking for American models, Detroit and St. Louis had about 67% of car shopping behavior focused on American brands.

Surging China costs turn some U.S. makers homeward

"I can manufacture combination locks in Milwaukee for less of a cost than I can in China," said Bob Rice, a senior vice president at the largest U.S. padlock manufacturer.

Labor Deals Help Fuel Rebound in Auto Jobs That Boost Economy

GM is hiring nearly 4,000 people to fill shifts at its Hamtramck factory and two other Michigan plants. The company is also adding engineers at its Warren, Mich., technical center. In Hamtramck, where GM builds the Volt plug-in hybrid, City Manager William Cooper estimated the added hiring would bring $250,000 in extra revenue to the city, which was on the brink of bankruptcy a few months ago.

Made in the USA Hall of Fame Awards Celebrates Excellence in USA Manufacturing

This event will take place at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, in Los Angeles, California on July 2, 2011, and celebrates businesses who exhibit excellence in US manufacturing practices and standards.

Made in USA: Overseas jobs come home

According to Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Chinese labor costs are rising about 15% to 20% a year. That makes producing goods in China not nearly as cheap as it used to be. For many manufacturers, that narrowing is enough to tip the balance back to U.S. plants.

Senator Wants US Flags Made in America

U.S. Sen Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio will introduce legislation that would make flags purchased by the Federal Government be entirely made in America.

Jobs once in Mexico come to Kentucky

When Ebonite bought the factory last year, it was in Mexico, employing 27 people; labor was cheaper. Company officials thought they could move all the equipment to Kentucky, apply the latest time and labor-saving techniques, and a dozen American workers could produce just as much.

Can "Made in USA" survive in a global economy? Should it?

Topps executives recently made the tough decision to renew their lease in New York City's Manhattan, a move that may cost more money but remains true to the company's American roots. "We decided that being an American company and being located in the heart of New York, where we've always been, made a lot of sense," O'Hara said.

Q&A; with Pin Li, President of Chicago-based subsidiary of the Chinese-owned Wanxiang America Corporation

When we (the Chinese company operating in the U.S.) are in China we are competing with everybody. In the U.S. we become (through acquisition of American companies) the only one who can compete. When we (the Chinese company operating in the U.S.) take over here (in America) and we dial back into the sales system in china, we have American technology and Chinese sales.

GE To Open New Locomotive Plant in Texas

GE Transportation announced today that it intends to open a new locomotive manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas, to meet accelerating global demand. GE will invest up to $96 million in the new plant and will create more than 500 new high-tech manufacturing jobs which will expand its manufacturing workforce at its Erie, Pennsylvania, plant by hiring an additional 250 workers.

'Made in the U.S.A.' may be staging comeback

The next few years will bring a wave of reinvestment by U.S. multinational manufacturers in their home base, as rising wages and a strong yuan currency make China a less attractive production center, the paper by the Boston Consulting Group predicts.

Manufacturing your products in the USA; Hasbro steps up with a domestic contract manufacturing service

Russ Davies of Hasbro is heading up that company’s efforts to bring O.E.M. game manufacturing back to the U.S. by opening one of their factories to contract manufacturing.

"Made In America" Making A Comeback At Furniture Market

According to the American Home Furnishings Alliance, 60% of all upholstery sold in the U.S. is made in the U.S., and about 35% of all of the wood furniture sold in the U.S. is made in America.

Lawmaker wants made-in-America U.S. flags

"American flags should be made in America using American products — period,” said the Iowa Democrat. "A lot of people in Congress pay lip service to the American worker and the quality of goods they produce, but we see little action to back it up."

GE to build massive thin-film U.S. solar plant

GE said that its new plant, when complete, will be able to produce 400 megawatts worth of thin-film solar cells per year and employ 400 people. That would make it one of the largest thin-film solar manufacturing presences in the U.S. The U.S. solar market grew 67 percent between 2009 and 2010 and is now a $6 billion market, according to a recent report from Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and GTM Research.

Smithsonian opening a ‘Made in America’ gift shop

But in a change prompted by congressional pressure, Americans visiting the American History Museum will soon be able to “Buy American.” The Smithsonian Institution is planning to stock the shelves of a gift shop adjacent to its popular American presidents exhibit with goods only made in the United States.

General Mills Buying 50% Stake in Yoplait

General Mills (GIS) has entered into exclusive talks with French private equity group PAI Partners and French dairy cooperative Sodiaal SA to buy a 50% stake in the entity which owns yogurt-maker Yoplait SAS and affiliated companies. As part of that offer, General Mills would take a controlling stake in the operating company.

1888 Mills touts USA-made towels

"We're getting a lot of interest from retailers for our Made in USA goods because we're the only ones left, really."

Bill requires Smithsonian museum to ‘Buy American’

"It is utterly absurd, and frankly insulting, that the patriotic American mementos they are taking home today are stamped with the words 'Made in China,'" said Rep. Nick J. Rahall II, West Virginia Democrat, in a statement Thursday announcing his "Buy American at the Smithsonian Act."

Intelligence Community Fears U.S. Manufacturing Decline

Over the last ten years, China has mounted the biggest challenge to the U.S. manufacturing sector ever seen, threatening producers of steel, chemicals, glass, paper, drugs and any number of other items with prices they cannot match. Not coincidentally, the United States has lost an average of 50,000 manufacturing jobs every month during the same period.

Donald Trump at CPAC

Despite our supposed free-trade agreement, not only has Mexico started manipulating exchange rates, but it also has placed a 25% duty on U.S. cheese, a 20% duty on U.S. wine, 15% duties on U.S. fruit and fruit juices, 15% duties on U.S. pencils and pens, 10% d uties on U.S. shampoo, hair spray, tooth paste and deodorant, and 10% duties on U.S. dog and cat food.

Court In SF Rules That "Made In U.S.A." Lies Can Get You Sued

Four Southern California residents won the right from the California Supreme Court today to sue a lock company for allegedly falsely labeling its locks as "Made in U.S.A."

Emerging market companies buy up the world

The 100 "global challengers" come from 16 countries but China, India, Brazil, Mexico and Russia dominate the list. "What the U.S. and the UK accomplished in a 200-year span since the Industrial Revolution, we are going to watch China and India accomplish in a 30-year span," says Jim Quigley, CEO of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

Manufacturing Is Vital Component To U.S. Economy

Basically, they (Germany) say manufacturing is a very vital part of my economy. I t employs my people; it pays them great wages. So they have a country strategy. They approach it as a country. Now, those of us who are free marketeers would say, well, gee, you know, that's government interference. Well, I don't see that as government interference. I see that as the public sector establishing the rules of the road such that the private sector knows what those rules are and therefore, we can compete.

U.S.-China $6.6 billion soybean deal benefits Minnesota

According to 2009 data MDA, soybeans account for 61 percent of the U.S. agricultural exports to China, followed by a small percentage of red meat (4 percent), poultry (3 percent) and dairy products (1 percent).

Master Lock reassessing China

In a new twist, however, it's China where Master Lock's costs are rising disruptively. The company has responded by pulling production back to Milwaukee, where the manufacturer of iconic padlocks was founded in 1921.

Buy American on Fox Tampa Bay

American-made products: To buy or not to buy

Eleven easy ways to buy American in 2011

Some the easiest - and most inexpensive - ways to buy American are in areas where the consumer is really indifferent as to which product to buy.

National Export Initiative, part II: Will it work?

Roger Simmermaker, author of How Americans Can Buy American, doesn’t think so. In his “Buy American Mention of the Week” of April 14, 2010, he said, “We cannot expect other countries to surrender their markets to us simply because we have stupidly surrendered our market to them…We’ve been giving foreign producers production-cost advantages over our own producers for at least 35 years now, and we can’t expect them to start ‘playing nice’ with us and let us invade their markets to the tune of doubling our exports.”

Pentagon Must ‘Buy American,’ Barring Chinese Solar Panels

The military authorization law signed by President Obama on Friday contains a little-noticed “Buy American” provision for the Defense Department purchases of solar panels — a provision that is likely to dismay Chinese officials as President Hu Jintao prepares to visit the United States next week. The new Buy American provision, created mainly by House and Senate conferees during a flurry of activity at the end of the lame-duck session of Congress, prevents the Defense Department from buying Chinese-made solar panels.

Ford media blitz to target Korea trade

Ford Motor Co. notes that Korea will export more than 500,000 vehicles to the United States this year, while U.S. vehicle exports to Korea in 2010 are likely to total fewer than 7,500. "If the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement isn't fixed, it would allow Korea to remain one of the most closed automotive markets in the world," a Ford ad says. Last year, about 7,600 U.S.-built vehicles were purchased in Korea, versus more than 411,000 exported to the U.S. Through August, the U.S. auto sector trade deficit with Korea was $6.8 billion, up from $4.8 billion over the same period in 2009.

Now Congress to purchase 'Made in America' goods

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur’s (D-OH) bill, H.R. 2039, the Congressional Made in America Promise Act, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 371-36. The bill will extend Buy American Act requirements for federal agencies to apply to the legislative branch and aims to ensure that all of the products purchased by the U.S. House of Representatives and the United States Senate are American-made.

Clothing company traces 'jeaneology'

All American Clothing has become the first company in America to offer “traceability,” what some are referring to as “jeaneology”: every pair of their jeans comes with a number that, when entered on their website, will take the viewer back to the place where the cotton was grown, where it was turned into cloth, where it was cut and sewn, and finally where it is stored before being, and all of it is right here in America.

China Beginning U.S. Auto Takeover In Saginaw?

In July, General Motors and Pacific Century Motors announced they reached an agreement for GM to sell GM Global Steering Holdings LLC, commonly known as Nexteer, to PCM. Now, months later, the transaction is nearing final approval -- making the China-based company the largest private employer in Saginaw County.

Waving the Flag

Who says Congress can’t get its work done? On Sept. 30, the House of Representatives passed the All-American Flag Act on an enthusiastic, bipartisan (we assume) voice vote. If the Senate steps up, the federal government will be required by law to buy only flags entirely made in the U.S.A., down to the last fiber. The legislation closes a loophole in the Buy American Act of 1933, which, with some exceptions, requires the federal government to buy American-made things but allows flags with up to 50 percent foreign content to be classified as domestic-made. According to the Department of Commerce, China exported $2.5 million worth of American flags to the United States last year.

The End of Free-Trade Globalization

US corporations and banks remain free to move jobs and production whenever and wherever corporate strategy dictates, regardless of the consequences for the economy. Government can stop this by forcing them to serve the broader national interest. This is not as radical as it may sound. Every other leading industrial nation does it, one way or another.

18 Iconic Products That America Doesn't Make Anymore

Meanwhile, plenty of beer is still made here, but many of America’s most-iconic beer brands, including Miller, Coors, and Budweiser, are owned by foreign companies. In 2008, Anheuser-Busch, the St. Louis-based company that has a nearly 50 percent market share in the U.S., was sold to InBev, a Belgium-based conglomerate run by Brazilian executives.

Chinese automaker SAIC may buy General Motors stock

And you were worried about the American government’s stake in GM was bad? How about the Chinese government?

Defazio defends American jobs; secures house vote on trade next week

Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield) today announced that the House of Representatives will vote on his bill, H.R. 1875, the End the Trade Deficit Act, next week. DeFazio is part of a coalition that has been working with the House leadership to develop the “Make it in America” manufacturing initiative to rebuild America’s manufacturing base and bring and keep good value jobs here at home.

Kissell 'Buy American' bill passes House

H.R. 3116, the Berry Amendment Extension Act, permanently requires the Department of Homeland Security and all of its agencies to purchase and procure textiles made entirely in America. The bill passed the House unanimously.

Hare-backed 'Buy American' bill passes House

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday by a 371 to 36 vote expanding Buy American requirements to the legislative branch. The Senate still needs to act. The Buy American Act is the country's major domestic preference, and the expansion will cover materials used in Congress. The House also passed an amendment Wednesday that expands domestic preference legislation to the Department of Homeland Security on products such as food and clothing.

7-Eleven in Talks to Acquire Casey’s

It looks like the American-owned Casey’s convenience-store chain will either be bought by the Japanese or the Canadians. Japanese–owned 7-Eleven's offer tops the $38.50 per share offered by Canadian c-store firm Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., which has been trying to acquire Casey's in a hostile takeover attempt, the report noted.

'Made in America' Means Something Again

9/10/10If there were any doubts about reports that the American auto industry is on the mend, they were laid to rest today with the release of J.D. Power and Associates' 2010 Initial Quality Study (IQS). Domestic brands, as a whole, demonstrated higher initial quality than the imports for the first time in the study's 24-year history.

Chinese turbine makers to buy steel from U.S. for West Texas wind farm

9/9/10Chinese makers of turbines for a West Texas wind farm agreed to buy steel from U.S. producers after lawmakers objected to foreign production of the equipment.