Many nations are hesitant to trade with China due to human rights abuses in their factories. United States and other super power nations should be stepping in and making sure that China is not using slave labor, political prisoners, and young children in factories in order to compete in international markets. The United Nations should have strict laws in place to ensure that any products traded internationally are not made in unsafe working conditions and the factory workers are protected by their human rights. James Dorn states in the “Trade and Human Rights in China” that “ An individual’s right to trade is an important and fundamental human right, not a privilege bestowed by government. The proper function of government is to safeguard that right, not to restrict trade to protect special interests at the expense of the general welfare. America should not play the dangerous game of pitting human rights activists against free traders.” I believe that the United States should not step in and restrict trade but should set up a system of being able to ensure best practices are being followed in factories. China uses cheap labor in order to trade its products at low prices but are not treating its workers correctly. Free markets foster economic development and provide individuals to separate themselves from the their state. A growing middle class will have a strong economic stake in determining their own political fate. President Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan stated “Vigorous economic development leads to independent thinking. People hope to be able to fully satisfy their free will and see their rights fully protected. And then demand ensues for political reform.” I believe that in order to trade there should be guidelines set up. If a nation does not agree with these laws then they will not be able to trade with any nations and will cause their economy to suffer.
No comments:
Post a Comment