US experts, media warn against over-hyping Chinese products
Updated: 2007-09-14 14:31
Of the 20 million toys recalled by Mattel in the past month, 80 percent were because they contained small magnets, which is a design flaw, said the report.
However, all of the media focus has been on the lead paint issue, said University of Manitoba business professor Hari Bapuji, who prepared the report with University of Western Ontario international business professor Paul W. Beamish.
"Companies like Mattel have a responsibility to ensure that the products that they bring to China to be manufactured are safe and conform to the standards of this part of the world," Bapuji said. "They cannot simply escape the blame by saying 'It's the manufacturer in China.'"
Along with the news coverage demonizing Chinese products are a small number of American politicians who have raised doubts over the quality of Chinese food imports merely to enhance their own political status, warned some analysts, believing protectionist moves will be harmful to both sides.
Nancy Nord, acting chairwoman of US Consumer Product Safety Commission, has warned against turning a product safety issue with China into a trade issue.
"I think it will be very foolish to turn a safety issue into a trade issue," she said. "The safety issue is safety. It impacts both Chinese and American consumers."
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