Can Americans live without Chinese goods?

World
Europe

02:05

United States President Donald Trump has said he is determined to reverse the trade deficit with China. But in such an integrated world, could an American live without goods made in China?

Palmer Mandelson is a vlogger living in San Francisco in the US state of California. He recently took on this challenge, in an attempt to see what life would be like without any products made in China.

He checked most of the items in his home and found that they were made in India, Vietnam and China.

CGTN Screenshot

Meanwhile, he went to local stores including Ross and Costco in search of US-made products and he found a similar situation.

Mendelson found out that all the products for everyday use, such as clothing and home appliances, are made outside the United States, mostly in China.

Mendelson eventually admitted that it 's rather difficult for him to last without items manufactured in China.

Long Yongtu, former WTO chief negotiator for China /CGTN Screenshot

“Americans have strong consumption power and the market is big. The American market has been the largest destination for Chinese exports since China joined the World Trade Organization,” said Long Yongtu, former WTO chief negotiator for China.

He added that “in a way, America is the major beneficiary of quality and inexpensive Chinese goods, and the major beneficiary of expanded Chinese exports. At the same time, however, this situation has also led to a trade surplus in favor of China.”