What you need to know about China, America and Walmart
Some facts about China, America and Walmart:
- Walmart charges amazingly low prices on everything.
- Walmart is everywhere.
- Walmart is America's #1 retailer.
- Most of Walmart's suppliers come from China (probably close to 80%).
- America currently sustains a trade imbalance with China -- we buy more from China than we sell them. America sells raw materials to China and China sells us finished goods like electronics and clothing -- that are sold in Walmart.
- American factory workers get paid an average of $15 per hour.
- Chinese factory workers get paid an average of 35 cents an hour.
- Walmart's proponents will tell you that they are helping Americans attain a higher standard of living simply because of their low prices.
- Walmart's opponents will tell you that Walmart is hurting Americans' chances at a higher standard of living by lowering wages and cutting benefits (not to mention "discouraging" unionization).
- American economists are divided on the issue.