Buying America, Chinese-style, is what's good for the gander

[dArKeR]

The US received its first shock followed by complaints from the US Congress when the Chinese computer company Lenovo Group purchasing IBM's personal computer division. Never mind that by 2000 China had invested less than US$400 million in the US, while Britain had invested over US$230 billion and Japan US$159 billion. IBM is one of America's most iconic brands, and many US politicians were taken aback by China's economic incursion.

That almost automatic reaction was reminiscent of the 1980s, when the US woke up to find Japanese companies such as Sony buying Columbia Pictures, Mitsubishi Estates buying Rockefeller Center, and even the famous Pebble Beach golf course on the California coast being snapped up by Japanese investors. People were afraid the Rockettes would have to wear kimonos, wrote Susan Tolchin, of George Mason University, the author of buying Into America.

Next, it was announced that the large Qingdao-based Chinese appliance maker, Haier, was interested in picking up home-appliance maker Maytag, another iconic all-American brand.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2005/07/08/2003262687

[Deja Q]

1. America didn't mind selling out back then. So why should they now?

Get over it congress. Being bought out yourselves, you should be appreciating this decimation of America.

[TwentyFive]

2. Under BushCo - The middle class is disappearing. Less investors here.

Many people, such as myself, have sold off investments to pay for living expenses over the past few years. People don't seem to understand that EVERY YEAR Bush has been President - the middle class has dwindled.

When jobs get exported, two things happen. People in other countries benefit - while people here are forced to do with less. This happened under Reagan in the 80's. US auto workers were laid off, while Japan, Inc. got rich, and bought American Investments.

This is one reason why I am a liberal Democrat...who drives a Pontiac!

[Oversea Visitor]

3. You forget the Saudi hey