“Buy American” or “Made in China”

From: CFP, a local newspaper from where the major poultry consuming market is located in China.

As the trade friction, especially anti-dumping cases, between United States and China has intensified these years, it’s not shocking news any more to see that china started probe into American chicken imports. Following a series of dispute regarding tyres, auto manufacture and poultry products between two nations, the investigation from Chinese government towards American imports has broader background and implications than mere single trade dispute. The action attracted the attention of media from both countries involved and some coverage from British media as well.

On Sept.26th, China officially started the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation into the imports of American chicken products. There is several timing during the month which makes the whole situation quite interesting to explore.

The initial announcement of the action from Chinese ministry of commerce could be traced back to the 2nd week of September, only several days after Washington made the decision that U.S put new tariffs on the Chinese tyres. It's widely believed that the timing sent the unmistakable signal of retaliation, which was mentioned in most news coverage. Actually from the official statement on the website, there were oblique hints referring to the tyre dispute and possible harm from trade war under the cloud of worldwide recession. "China is absolutely against protectionism," the statement said, “China is willing to work with various countries to make sure the world economy recovers soon". And the idea of revenge became quite obvious in other news coverage. For example, the comic above is from Guangzhou Daily newspaper, where the chicken product is the main dish for local people. In the picture, when Uncle Sam tries to smash imported tyres with the "special protectionist tariffs" bat, there is the Chinese official investigating American auto and chicken products. The comic is used by several local publications in China indicating the sino-american trade tension, while the focus of the news is how the price of chicken product could be affected by the cut on import as well. Clearly the target readers are consumers who are more concerned with the price of basic products. Nevertheless, the news (source 1) helps us get a glimpse at the government news style in China. Compared with western ones, the news here tends to use a lot of quotation and only few passive tense instead of a more objective point of view. Although filled with background information and some data, the report doesn’t provide solid argument. Though there are a few interviews involved, most comment is not convincing enough when the words have obvious emotions attached. The emotions of the victims from the "dumping” and the "action is not rare under WTO rules" are emphasized. With only views from one party, I think the article is trying to defend the policy and deliver the "welcome news" rather than presenting the newsworthy and unbiased message.

When we come to the international press, we are likely to find some short but clear news. Like the ones in Independent Uk and Bloomberg, both news are solid with useful information. They covered some key data and background information referring to the previous dispute. Unlike the short message from Independent, the report in Bloomberg is trying to be really objective with opinions from both sides and precise use of word, such as the use of "alleged subsidies" rather than only "anti-dumping" investigation.

Other press in U.K. also has some coverage over the sino-american dispute. To put it into world business section, the news all emphasize on the tension between US and China and the threat of protectionism. The report on Reuter tries to cover opinions from both sides, followed by details about previous events. A little distracting when the topic is about the chicken probe but the article has too much information about other dispute. If you are looking for some reports not as serious as the topic of protectionism, NYTIMES is a good choice. Though it’s still news with some data, the use of word is very interesting and not too professional, which is obvious just from the title. A lot of metaphors are used and the writer must have done some field trip to complete the feedback from the market. In all, it could be a fun reading with typical American optimism regarding the issue for local people.

In my eyes, both countries are facing great pressure with domestic economic growth and the import and export make up for a big part of economy for both countries. Made in China label is already an undeniable fact and trend around the globe, and china relies heavily on the export to US. On the other side, more US companies are investing in chinese market. So if the idea of Buy American Act comes back under Obama government, the "trade war" is inevitable.

source 1 news from china daily, official and political point of view, controlled by the government.