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2nd district candidate questions trading option with China

- Allewine Smith says VI should not become complacent
Allewine "Barbie" Smith, 2nd District independent candidate is concerned about the quality of products coming out of China and questions whether the VI should engage in trade with China.
2nd district candidate Claude Skelton Cline had suggested that the VI should end trading with US and look to countries such as China and other producing nations
2nd district candidate Claude Skelton Cline had suggested that the VI should end trading with US and look to countries such as China and other producing nations
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Second District candidate Allewine “Barbie” Smith is concerned about the trading option being proposed by some to do business with China and questions whether it will be the right move for the Virgin Islands.

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!”

23 Responses to “2nd district candidate questions trading option with China ”

  • peter crumble (19/10/2011, 07:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    yes barbie doll...you keep pounding that unmannerly cline...i wont call him pastor
  • Hmmmmpppp (19/10/2011, 07:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Looks like Claude forgot about these things! Thanks Barbs for picking them out. We nah want China either. I believe you should come back when Alvin moving off the scene. You going make it and you have my family's vote then. But, for now, leh we focus on keeping you know who outta this thing. Forward Ever we go!
    • Kilpatrick Too (19/10/2011, 09:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree with these comments and the strategic idea. Barbie I cant vote for you, but I am on board with all efforts to keep that Cline out of the picture in this and future elections. BVI did not need the USA to vomit him out for him to come represent us.
  • Flintstome (19/10/2011, 08:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Barbie is right - a lot of people will get burned if they think they can do better business with China
  • peng (19/10/2011, 08:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please.....barbie you brought up the topic, but noweher in your submission you NEVERmentioned a solution!!!????? You folks are always ready to critize but offer no solutions???? The reason for the high cost of the stuff from the US is that there is no proper lesgilistation to properly manage imports from the US.....Remember we are an overseas territory and if we look to the UK/EU to import the duties and fees would be reduced significantly. carriage from the USVI alone is as must as the items alone, so government must do more to reduce the duties on imported basic comodities from neighbouring islands/USA. Another contributing factor is gas prices.... If we have to import from china however we need an experienced body to vet the itmes coming in to protect the BVi citizens....Think about it, we now import from the US, which is heavily reliant on the China for their good....Are you sure we are not importing those same faulty items from the US( with the made in china sticker on them already. Maybe you should reach for your bag and building supplies and food to see where they were produced, packed, bottles or canned in China, as your ststement is a little too late!!
  • dude (19/10/2011, 09:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I t hink this recent interest in China is overblown, but there is no difference in the products that she is talking about. Whether we buy them from the US or directly from CHina which will be cheeper it's the same product, & the recalls affect everywhere. As a matter of fact the US has just as many annual recalls on products. Another thing is we don't have to go looking for China they will come to us, as they do all 3rd world countries, so just sit back & prepare.
    • Discrete (19/10/2011, 09:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Dude, Barbie is so right...I won't want food from China...Look at the things they eat...they would can rodents for us. I never did like what that Cline said about buying from china and I know he means food as well. Cline we don't need any food from China, you can buy your there. What do you have against the USA now? You lived there for many years and now that you are back here for some reason you're against buying from America? Something Wrong but don't come here and poison the peoples minds, the bulk of our foods are bought out of USA and just because you think it will be cheaper for us, we must settled for China and those other 3rd world countries raw and contaminated foods. You purchase them and eat them yourself. I thought you would have come up with a better plan and ask us to build on agriculture, raise more cattle, pigs, sheep and all those things that will be better for us so that we can export to the caribbean countries.
  • Carlton (19/10/2011, 12:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We already purchase a lot of things that come from China. We simply get them via the United States. All Cline is saying that if we use these things then it would be more efficient if we get them from the same source America is getting them from. Is Barbie saying that we are not capable of doing the same thing America is doing, so we must continue to rely on America to do it for us? Barbie if your are going to be running for public office then you need to think broader than you seem capable of. We as a country need to be in a position to fend for ourselves. You check around your house and see where a lot of the things that you use were made. You bought them at Home Depot in the US but they got them from China. We need people who can make things happen in the right way for the BVI. Do some more home work Barbie.
    • @ Discrete (19/10/2011, 14:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      If you think that we can buy products directly from China at a cheaper price than you can buy from Home Depot (even though the products come from China), you are mistaken. Its all about volume, something the BVI doesn't have.
      • Kingfish (19/10/2011, 15:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ Discrete: You are right, sadly most of our people are not smart enough to understand the basis of volume buying.They think that you can order 12 cases of shoes from China and pay the same price for them as Payless who orders 1000's of cases of the same shoe. Virgin Islanders wake up and educate yourselves, before posting and making yourselves look stupid.
    • Polo284 (19/10/2011, 18:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      For those who dont this america's biggest trading partner is Canada not China
      • tade war (19/10/2011, 23:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        oh no i taught funny man myron said it was the bvi..he ha hee..old fool
    • Well Sah!!!! (19/10/2011, 19:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Apparently you don't have ears to hear or the understanding you need to comprehend what discussing the China situation is all about. America has in place quality control on the products that comes into the country especially with China because over in China there is none. They sell you whatever they export no one to protect your dumb behind. Since you want the citizens to become terribly ill then you go ahead and purchase them and keep them to yourself. What you need is to do some research for yourself and see what is really going on so you can put down your ignorance finally. There were other important factors to her speech to focus on and this is what you hang on. You all behind this man who just move back to the BVI, who don't know much about this country to get in after a couple of years and sell of the country. The man can't even fight he own battles without his uncle giving comments. What does that say for a leader if he gonna always have his tears wiped by his uncle when he starts the fight first. Sad to see what commonsense we have down here.
  • poor thing (19/10/2011, 13:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why this poor woman dont rest her self
    • egg face (19/10/2011, 14:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      the old devil pastor claude is the oen who need to rest himself
  • Mmm (19/10/2011, 16:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So what are her suggestions to improve some of the cost of living since she is saying that Cline's suggestions will not work. People we need to move away from problem seeking to Solution seeking in this society.
    • Well Sah!!!! (19/10/2011, 19:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You all really have a problem with listening. She stated those things in her speech. She give some of her ideas. When are you really going to pay attention??????? This is really sad.....
      • Mmm (20/10/2011, 09:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Well say some....I am asking...it is a question. What are some of the things she said?
  • poor thing (19/10/2011, 16:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    egg face so if he is a devil what you call this one
  • GOAT WATER (19/10/2011, 23:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I AINT CARE WAH AYO SAY I VOTING FOR BABY COW ED OF STORY!!!
  • CGB YOUTH (20/10/2011, 08:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    to egg face call her the dolly woman
  • Pastor (20/10/2011, 11:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I CANT WAIT FOR SKELTON CLINE TO JUMP ON HER MASH HER UP LIKE HOW HE DID PENN
  • funny (20/10/2011, 11:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    "but I do know the U.S. will not let its people suffer because of corporate greed" I lol'd


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