2nd district candidate questions trading option with China
Speaking at a campaign meeting in Cane Garden Bay last evening October 18, 2011 where she outlined several plans for the district and some for the Territory, the independent candidate made it clear that while she is not anti-China, she is concerned about the quality of products coming out of the nation and urged that the VI should not become complacent and allow “countries like china to come in and monopolize us”.
“I understand some people want you to think that doing business with China is in our best interest. From previous articles I’ve read, it is to my understanding that we should turn to China to purchasing products. What you have not been told, is about the new quality control standards that America had to implement to keep American’s safe. Over the years listening to the news there has been multiple product recalls that contained hazardous materials such as melamine that affects human life as well as pets,” she explained.
On May 13, 2011, 2nd District candidate Claude Skelton Cline, who has since joined the National Democratic Party, had suggested that to reduce its rising cost of living, the Virgin Islands should change its trading partner from the United States to producing countries including China, Russia, India, Brazil and foreign Mexico.
“Do you understand why it cost so much at Rite Way and One Mart and Bobby’s? The reason why the cost of living is so high is because we continue to buy goods and services from a country, the United States of America that does not produce anything,” Pastor Cline had stated. “For years the United States served a good purpose but the United States like us have become a 100 percent consumer nation. The United States is buying from what is called the BRIC countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China and foreign Mexico.”
According to Ms. Smith, the same hazard material, melamine, was also found in Mattel toys for children that lead to multiple lead poisoning cases. She further spoke of “moldy drywall products that was sold in home improvement stores that affected 30,000 homes in Florida alone, and many other states, like Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi”.
“Another defective product that comes from China that the U.S. has to inspect on a constant is tires for manufactures such as Firestone. This has caused multiple fatalities on Ford and other vehicles, and the list goes on,” she continued.
The district candidate said she is “pro B.V.I” and has concerns after reading those articles and wonder if that is the direction “others want us to take”. However, Ms. Smith pointed out that she is not against looking at difference choices to goods but again questioned the “long-run” effects of such a move.
“…but I do know the U.S. will not let its people suffer because of corporate greed. Apparently the Chinese are looking to influence all Caricom countries with money; it may all look good in the short run, but what happens in the long run to you and yours. Will you still have a voice after they get in?” she asked.
Smith said such trading decisions will not only affect the 2nd district but the country as a whole and said she would like to see the VI make it on its own merit without having outside influence dictate what its future would be like.
“I want to see us be more competitive on an island to island scale, and I want to see the B.V.I. be more competitive on a global scale, and most of all, I want to see us all benefit from it!”
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