About WBFC

The positive way to look at the source of imports as opposed to domestic products is if you need to buy something, where do you want to encourage manufacturing? The simplest answer is the nearer, the better. If you buy a product made in your own country, or better yet, your own state, you encourage employment of workers in your own country. Laws and regulations involving labor, the environment and respect for intellectual property are made by a government that is accountable to your community. The quality is typically better – if not, you do not have far to return things for a refund. You are in a better position to see what you are buying.

Workers in China have just as much right to earn a fair living as workers anywhere else. Our critique of Chinese products and the Chinese government does not extend to the Chinese people. Encouraging domestic manufacturing is not intended to disadvantage any employee anywhere based on ethnicity or natural origin. Where we are now is a situation where global economic progress and development over the last several decades has led to a situation where over 30% of world manufacturing is taking place in a single country, with many Western companies relying on these products. The raw materials have to be shipped there and the finished products typically have to be loaded on a huge container ship that burns fossil fuels. The country of origin regulates (or possibly fails to regulate) wages, working conditions, energy use, environmental quality, and human rights. Consumers are encouraged to reconsider their purchasing decisions, understanding the ethical implications of longer buying products made in China.

Ultimately, of course, what you buy and where you buy it from is up to you. We invite you to look around and see if you can find things you want that’s made a little closer to home and may be better quality, ensuring your money supports local economies. Making informed purchase decisions can have a significant impact.