Lipinski Rips Pollutants And Biz in China
Cong. Dan Lipinski (D-3rd) signed on as a cosponsor of House Resolution 925 on May 1 condemning China in what he describes as unacceptable business practices.
The resolution, which was introduced by Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas), has 23 bipartisan cosponsors.
“China has continuously flouted international standards in its business practices and deserves to be held publicly accountable for its actions,” said Lipinski. “For too long, Americans have been victims of unsafe Chinese products, millions of which have been recalled in the last year.
“These recalled products have included toys, cribs and strollers.”
U.S. researchers recently identified China as the source of a chemical contaminant in the blood-thinner Heparin, which has led to at least 81 deaths.
“American businesses have also suffered as a result of China’s unscrupulous practices,” said Lipinski. “Due to China’s artificially low exchange rate, U.S. businesses are continuously undercut by Chinese imports.
“This has led to the loss of manufacturing jobs in America and a growing U.S. trade deficit, considerably weakening the U.S. economy.
“Chicagoland has been particularly hard hit by unfair Chinese competition, losing over 100,000 manufacturing jobs in the past decade.”
Lipinski added that the labor and environmental conditions in China remain dreadful.
Many women and children, he said, have been forced to work in brick kilns and are victims of frequent beatings.
Along with deplorable working conditions, Lipinski said environmental concerns is another major issue.
“Chinese pollution has become infamous, tarnishing not only their local environment, but threatening the global environment,” said Lipinski. “The pollution in China is so bad that several Olympic athletes have expressed concern for their health in the run up to the Beijing Olympics this summer.”