Donald Trump's Labels: 'Made in China'

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Donald Trump's Labels Often Say 'Made in China'

In exploring a run for president Donald Trump has repeatedly accused China of taking manufacturing jobs from the U.S., saying "the problem with our country is that we don't make anything anymore."

But an array of Trump-branded products from ties, dress shirts and other clothing in the Donald J. Trump Signature Collection, to hats, stuffed animals, cufflinks and tie clips are stamped "Made in China."

Visitors to the Trump Store in the lobby of the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York City, or to the displays of Trump clothing at Macy's in New York's Herald Square, would be hard-pressed to find much labeled "Made in the U.S.A."

Trump, a Republican, has made the flow of U.S. jobs overseas, especially to China, as much a centerpiece of his exploratory campaign as his questions about whether President Obama was born in America.

"When it comes to manufacturing, China is making all these products. They could be made in North Carolina. They could be made in Alabama. They could be made in lots of our places and right now they're not," he told CNN earlier this year.

Trump hammered at the theme again Wednesday during a visit to New Hampshire. "China is raping this country," Trump told employees at Wilcox Industries, which makes tactical equipment for U.S. military forces.

"When this country became great was the industrial revolution," he said. "We are now the opposite of the industrial revolution, and pretty soon we are going to fall off a cliff."

Donald Trump Gear Is Often Made in China

At the same time Trump was speaking, his Trump Store was contributing to the growth of Chinese manufacturing at the expense of American jobs, selling $80 Trump-branded cotton sweaters and $70 Trump-branded warm-up tops, all made in China. Also available with the made in China tag: golf hats stamped with the Trump crest and Trump teddy bears.

Visitors also could buy leather made-in-China belts priced at $45 that are advertised as "So soft, it feels like a million bucks." And in the display case were neat stacks of colorful Trump-branded polo shirts that would be perfect wear for one of Trump's golf courses. The shirts, which sell for $70, were not made in China, but nearby, in Korea and Thailand.

Among the few items made in the U.S.A., are Trump chocolate bars, books, teas and Trump Christmas tree ornaments, priced at $15 each.

As first reported by Salon.com, the Trump wear sold in Macy's, part of the Donald J. Trump Signature Collection, is manufactured overseas, including ties in more than 50 different styles and colors (all made in China), suits (made in Mexico and Vietnam), and dress shirts (five styles made in China).

All the Trump tie pins ($22) and tie clips ($28) are labeled as "Made in China," as are the cufflinks ($35 to $45 a pair) and the boxes containing them.

Although so many Chinese-made products are sold under the Trump name, Trump repeatedly has complained about the quality of Chinese-made goods as compared to American products. "Our companies make a better product, that's very important to know. We make a better product," he told a gathering of conservative activists in Washington in February.

A spokeswoman for Trump did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump accuses China of "currency manipulation," which he says artificially depresses the cost of goods manufactured in China, making it hard for American manufacturers to compete, costing the U.S. jobs.

Adding to the outrage, in Trump's view, is that China is using its windfall to buy U.S. debt. He says the U.S. should slap heavy taxes on imported Chinese goods, to jack up their prices.

"Hey look, I know lots of folks in China, they think we are the dumbest son of a bitches in the world, all right?"

"They are laughing at us behind our backs, taking money out and then they loan it to us," he said earlier this year

"China has been hurting this country economically more than any other country," Trump said. He also has singled out South Korea, which he says has "treated us very, very badly."

[AmyWrites 593]

He's the type who will say anything to cause others to talk about him.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

He's the type who will say anything to cause others to talk about him.

Exactly. He's just being The Donald.