On September 16, 2010, Donald Trump, in a live interview on Fox News said, "I ordered windows, thousands of windows the other day, it's all made in China. Does anybody make windows in this country?"
Hello...is anyone there?
Let's try in invent the scenarios how this happened.
1. The Donald wanted Chinese windows in his building. We can rule this out because in the the same interview he said we should tax the heck out of imports from China and that China wasn't being fair to us.
2. The windows were cheaper from China, and Trump would rather save his money than spend it on on American made goods. But then he can talk out of both sides of his mouth better than most.
I am not in this to knock Trump...I admire his gumption and think he has done a lot of things well for New York City. But in this case, I hope he likes the taste of shoe leather, for he has really put his foot in his mouth.
There are great window manufacturers here. I bet it is just that the price was undercut by the manufacturer with Chinese Government support. The Chinese are certainly maneuvering their currency, the Yuan, to their benefit, at our expense.
Nonetheless, Trump should issue a 'Buy American' order to his staff. He has made his fortune in the US. He brags on TV's apprentice, he is among the rich and famous (or infamous) of the US, and he should be repaying America every day.
Did our US manufacturers even have a chance at the contract? I don't know. But I would be willing to bet they did, and I would be willing to bet that this was decided on price only.
If you have any info on this, and I don't even know the job name, drop me a note. Let me know what you know, and maybe we can piece this together.
Larry Tuminnia, co-owner of Northeast Laminated, brought the original conversation to my attention. Thanks Larry for keeping alert about our industry.
I am not saying we shouldn't import anything, I am just wondering if the US manufacturing companies had a real shot at this one.
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6 comments:
I'm thinking that Trump will regret the decision when all the windows leak. But then again he probably doesn't care...he'll just sell the property soon after completion.
The question that has not been asked on Mr. Trumps choice her, is WHO's window is it?. I will wager a metric ruler that it is an American based company that just 'happens' to do business with China.
Our current 'fairness' laws are circumvented faster than when this world turns to give all the appearance of the 'rising sun' in all nations.
Nothing new here.
We are disappointed in Mr. Trump's alleged purchase of windows outside of the US. We at Quality Glass & Mirror, Inc in Omaha, NE would have certainly appreciated the opportunity to bid on the contract. With the current conditions of our economy it is crucial for all us to purchase products made in the United States!
One of the companies that Trump has partnered with in the past has established there own sourcing company in China, and particularly to source curtainwall and glass and aluminum systems and windows.
Interesting... Would that company be Zetian? Anyone reading this know which project the "Donald" is referring to?
Paul, where is this project located?
The company that recieved the glass contract in Chicago for the Trump Tower was required to own their own tempering oven. I am assuming that this requirement meant that Trump wanted his glass fabricated locally.
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