迈阿密先驱报 修理中国是不公平的

最近一连串得到高调宣传的、对中国制造消费品的召回以及警告已经动摇了对中国进口品安全性的信心，媒体呼吁消费者抵制，并强化旨在阻止美国企业与中国打交道的贸易规定。

　　然而，中国进口品所代表的危险一直被严重夸大，被召回的产品的量估计不足美国从中国进口的产品总数的1%。与媒体引导消费者的方向相反，中国绝非唯一一个产品安全出问题的国家。在FDA（食品及药物管理局）目前的“进口警告”名单（阻止特定国家特定产品的进入）上，墨西哥目前排在最前面，有20个警告，其次是我们的邻居和主要贸易伙伴加拿大——与中国并列，有16个警告。

　　别忘了在过去几个月美国国内制造的产品也发生了大量召回，当中包括宠物食品、菠菜、海产以及营养补充剂。

　　在美国，中国制造产品的进口商和零售商受到媒体、消费者和过分热心的海关检查员的不公平的盯梢。

　　在信息不可靠、恐惧以及公众反华情绪日增的气候中，美国进口商和零售商要把中国进口品带到市场时面临了严峻的任务。他们可以采取某些步骤减少对产品的过分审查。这些措施可以对抗反华冲击，并减少未来运送延误或其他跟安全警告及召回相关的论战的可能性。

　　例如不要等到产品抵达美国才采取行动——雇用在中国的第三方验证商品的质量和数量，或者在运货到美国之前先取得快递的样品以彻底检验。又如提前了解美国海关检查员的非关税壁垒，在产品离开中国之前确保产品获得恰当的美国机构的许可，例如FDA、FCC（美国联邦通讯委员会）和EPA（美国环保署）。

　　这些主动的措施可以真正帮助美国进口商和零售商避免在货物入境或货品上架时的头痛问题。

　　但目前对中国的歧视是一个大得多的问题，需要加以解决。来自中国的产品召回量似乎有所增加，这与其说反映了不安全产品的大量增加，不如说是反映了中国经济不断发展。尽管如此，中国仍然是全球不合格产品问题的一个焦点。

　　事实上，产品安全与质量跟来源国没什么关系。我们应该在提高全世界产品安全标准以及加强进入美国境内的所有产品的管理方面多花功夫，而不是大肆指责或试图与中国展开贸易战。美中之间的贸易是积极的事物，而且在目前的修理中国狂潮平息以后，美中贸易无疑还会继续长久。（作者 PETER QUINTER）

Bashing China is unfair

The recent rash of highly publicized recalls and alerts on Chinese-made consumer goods have shaken confidence in the safety of Chinese imports, with the media calling for consumer boycotts and stricter trade regulations aimed at discouraging U.S. businesses from dealing with China.

The danger presented by Chinese imports has been highly exaggerated, however, with recalled goods estimated at less than 1 percent of total U.S. goods imported from China. Contrary to what media reports have led consumers to believe, China is far from being the only country with a questionable product safety record. On the FDA's current list of ''Import Alerts,'' issued to prevent entry of certain products from certain countries, Mexico is currently in the lead with 20 alerts, followed by another next-door neighbor and prime trading partner, Canada -- which is tied with China for 16 alerts.

Never mind that in the last few months the United States itself has seen numerous recalls for domestically manufactured products such as pet food, spinach, seafood and dietary supplements. And earlier this year, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled approximately 2.3 million dishwashers, 3.7 million candles, 620,000 pressure washers and 72,000 air compressors -- all made right here in the USA.

U.S. importers and retailers of Chinese-made products -- which statistics show are not necessarily more dangerous than those made in other countries -- are being unfairly targeted by the media, consumers and sometimes overzealous customs inspectors.

Within a climate of less-than-reliable information, fear and growing anti-China public sentiment, U.S. importers and retailers face the tough task of bringing their Chinese imports to market. That said, there are certain steps they can take to reduce the risk of excessive scrutiny of their Chinese-made goods. These measures are among a number that can be taken to counter the anti-China backlash and reduce the likelihood of future shipping delays or other hassles associated with safety alerts and recalls:

• Don't wait until the product reaches U.S. shores before taking action -- hire a third-party inspection company in China to verify the quantity and quality of the merchandise, or have a sample product sent by express mail for thorough examination before shipping the remainder of the goods to the United States.

• Anticipate nontariff barriers presented by U.S. customs inspectors -- make sure the product is registered or licensed with the appropriate U.S. agency, such as the FDA, FCC or EPA, before shipping from China.

• Be an industry watchdog on import alerts, exclusion orders or anti-dumping or countervailing duties -- check the websites of federal agencies such as the FDA, International Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Commerce to determine whether the Chinese-made product is likely to run into unwanted roadblocks.

• Determine if the product is subject to any quotas prior to shipping -- contact the local U.S. Customs and Border Protection office, or consult the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding any agricultural items; and,

• Be sure to have documentation on hand for all imported goods -- obtain proof of any trademark licenses on the products, and if possible use letters of credit that provide for shipping and payment terms more favorable to the buyer rather than the supplier in China.

Proactive steps like these can truly help U.S. importers and retailers avoid headaches at the port of entry or once their Chinese-made goods are on store shelves.

But the current discrimination against China is a much larger issue that needs to be addressed. The seeming increase in product recalls from China is more a reflection of the country's growing economic development rather than a substantial increase in unsafe products. Nevertheless, China continues to be a focus for dissatisfaction over the global problem of substandard product quality.

The reality is that product safety and quality have next to nothing to do with the country of origin. Efforts would be better spent on raising product safety standards worldwide and strengthening the regulation of all goods that cross U.S. borders, rather than pointing fingers or trying to start a trade war with China. Trade between the United States and China is a positive thing and will undoubtedly continue long after the current China-bashing frenzy subsides.

Peter Quinter is a customs and international trade attorney in Fort Lauderdale.