Stop looking in the rear view mirror

Rosemary Coates, president of Blue Silk Consulting and author of 42 Rules for Sourcing and Manufacturing in China, is in favor of free trade and looks at any kind of restrictions, tariffs or sanctions as hurdles to accomplishing a free-trading global environment.

“My beliefs are based on the evidence that countries that trade with one another, intermingle their economies and therefore it is in their best interest to resolve conflicts and stay at peace,” she told SCMR in an interview. “It seems to me, we should all be striving for a peaceful world. Free trade is one avenue.”

At the same time, she maintains that the western press vilifies China.

“China is an easy target and conjures up an emotional response from Americans who feel disenfranchised by offshoring manufacturing,” she said.

Regarding the recent sanctions against tire imports, Coates said that—in the end—the issue is all about politics not economics.

“The U.S. is trying to strong-arm China by leveraging its WTO relationships. But time is running out. As the US economy declines, and as China’s economy rises, it’s just a matter of time until the balance of power shifts from America to Asia. It is in our best interest as Americans to determine the road ahead and stop looking in the rear-view mirror.”

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