“ It’s A Small World, after all. It’s A Small, Small World.” —Written by the Sherman Brothers in response to the 1962 Cuban Missle crisis.
What do you think the balance of trade is vis a vis the United States and the Chinese? The deficit is the excess of imports over exports for goods and services. In 2017 the imported Chinese goods to the United States rose to $375.2 Billion. In 2016 the difference was $347 Billion, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.
The overall United States trade deficit in goods and services with the world widened 12.1% to $566 Billion in 2017. This was the largest gap since 2008 and some economists think that the growing trade deficit comes from the strength of the United States economy. It allowed Americans to import electronics, clothes, and appliances.
So on this good Earth with a multitude of interlocking interests, economies, and trade, I wondered what products came from where and how much is made in America. So now you can read what I have found and check your own purchases to see where your clothes, cars, and toys were made.
I have a clock imported from Hong Kong. A pair of slacks from Bangaladesh. A wool sweater from Ireland. Limoges dishes from France. Basil from Italy. A hat from London. A cookie jar and hand cream and a landline telephone from China. Other items from China are jump ropes and garden gloves and garden implements, a pencil sharpener, and an iron.
From Thailand come children’s pacifiers and toys. I have bells made in Germany as well as my Hummel figurines. Shoes from Italy. Pecksniff’s Lotion from London. A small clock from Vienna. Linens from Belfast and Brussels. From Vietnam came the blood pressure machine bought at WalMart. A rosary from Rome. Shalimar perfume from Paris. Chocolates from Switzerland. A blouse from Sri Lanka. Blue linen blazer from Ireland. Living room wood flooring from Sweden. A purple jacket from Haiti.
What has been made in America? Most of American food is produced here, except for many fruits and vegetables which come from Mexico, South America, even Australian kiwi. Americans produce face cream, batteries, cinnamon, cereal, light fixtures, Winter coats, stationery, sunscreen, books, newspapers, records and CDs, furniture, sport clothing and sports items, pillows, airplane parts and engines, and many other daily items Americans purchase.
Dial soap is the world’s first antibacterial soap and is manufactured in Connecticut. Dr. Norman Powers, my family doctor in Peoria, always said to use Dial soap and I always have used it.
Three big purchases are televisions, cameras and cars. Korean Samsung owns the patents for the composition that goes into all televisions so the Sony you purchase, even through made in Japan, has Samsung components. The Nikon camera is from Japan. The Honda is a Japanese-owned product, but developed and manufactured in the U.S.. Valley Honda has the Honda history framed to be read while having your car serviced. The history is amazing. Valley Honda has superlative customer service unlike any other I ever have experienced. It is always outstanding.
So our United Nations of consumer goods reflect this global economy that millions of Americans contribute to every day. And I find it interesting to note where an item originated from and to have so many different nations selling goods in the United States. It is, indeed, a small world after all.