05/31/07 Whats Fair Trade with China?

Why do I feel like a tiny drip midst the drooling over China as a warm and fuzzy trade companion. Am I the only one that sees the paradox in the fact the cover of the business section in last weeks New York Times carried an article about yet another Chinese's contamination scandal, (this one toothpaste) while below they ran a nice piece about how our government will do just about anything to open up more Chinese markets for US goods. So basically we toss our ethics out the window for a buck. Okay big bucks. In the latest trade negations the US is urging the Chinese to become more like us, adopt a market-based economy so that we can all trade back and forth like 4th graders sharing sack lunches. Okay I will give you my sustainable organic apple if I can try some of your bubble gum flavored Mr. Cool toothpaste. Is that a fair trade, considering Mr. Cool toothpaste happens to be laced with an industrial solvent that is a main ingredient in certain antifreeze? I'll keep my apple thank you.