Blogs

The China Development Bank is negotiating with one of the U.S.'s largest home builders to have a $1.7 billion stake in jump-starting the long-delayed transformation of two former naval bases into housing developments in California. What are American banks bailed out by the U.S. taxpayers doing? Busy outsourcing call centers and other functions overseas.

A critic of Japan's 1980s industrial policies changes his tune to some extent, calling for the world's former second largest economy to step up to the plate instead of flounder in its own indecisiveness. He's even calling upon the nation to bring back the old Japan. That's when you know you're nearing rock bottom. 

A major insurer throws its support behind U.S. manufacturing through a donation to efforts to get American youth excited about manufacturing careers every summer at camp. Every bit helps.

To some, the Trans-Pacific Partnership will bring about great economic opportunities for the , the 12 nations currently negotiating the pact. To others, it will bring about greater job loss, especially in the United States. But in China, it's all part of a devious American plot to take over the world.

Skilled workers are in short supply, claims U.S. companies, which has struggled for years to close the gap as manufacturing becomes increasingly high-tech. But is there really a shortage or lack of understanding of what a 21st century manufacturing workplace requires?

The overabundance of cheap Chinese solar panels on the U.S. market appears to have killed N.J.-based MX Solar USA, which terminated production last month, causing it to lay off the few workers it still had on staff. The move comes just a few weeks after the U.S. Commerce Department issued a temporary ruling to deter Chinese solar panel makers from dumping product.

It's official. China's economy appears to have hit the skids though its governmental officials won't acknowledge it in those terms. Leading corporate types in China as well as Western economists agree that local and provincial officials in the communist nation have been less than honest about their statistics. No big surprise, right? 

Major U.S. hotel chains are now trying to appease a new brand of tourist -- the Chinese, thanks in part to an expanding middle class and a more streamlined visa process. That translates into more Mandarin-fluent employees and creature comforts of China such as hot tea in their rooms and congee for breakfast. 

A U.S.-based t-shirt maker launches a new summer collection of Made in America clothing to celebrate moving its production back to the United States. If only more American apparel companies would see the light. 

The Boca Raton, Fla.-based Made In USA Certified and U.S. manufacturers have joined together to launch a nationwide tour rallying for U.S. jobs, beginning Independence Day and ending Labor Day. It'll begin in Florida and end in Philadelphia, Pa.