What is red, white and blue and made in China? Take a look at your American flag for the answer.Although U.S. companies still dominate the flag market, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that $5.3 million worth of U.S. flags were imported from other countries in 2006, mostly from China. On February 13, 2009, Rep. Dan Boren [D-OK] introduced the “Genuine American Flag Act”, H.R. 1082 which proposes a prohibition on the importation of American flags manufactured by foreign countries.
Several states already have laws containing various provisions from requiring American-made flags for use in schools and public offices to banning the sale of foreign-made flags in the state. While the proposed law may not meet with much opposition, it may violate international trade agreements with other countries. Current World Trade Organization policy states that products made in foreign countries cannot be treated "less favorably" than those made in the home market.
We want to hear from you. Do you think this bill violates the WTO policy? Do you think this bill pass even though it may violate an international trade agreement?
1 comment:
i believe that importing an American flag, regardless of the size, is rediculous. Yes, they are cheaper, but is our pride cheap as well? I'm aware that most of the flags we import are smaller hand flags, but also some are not up to par. I've seen comments where people are buying flags with 53 stars! I believe that is very disrespectful.
As with the World Trade Policy I am not so sure how that will work out. Yes we would be blocking some amount of trade, but will taking out $5.3 million really affect their economy? Isnt that just chump change in this day in age?
I know I'm not the smartest person when it comes to all this but I just believe that American Flags should not be imported, its almost unethical.
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