Until we can disengage from countries now or in the future that are behaving badly, we need an executive order [or even law] that simply requires the flag(s) of the country of origin be:
a) printed on the package/box/carton/container and included instructions if any.
For product in-country after the effective date of the order, a flag sticker applied after the fact is compliant. If the print is black-and-white only, a black-and-white rendition of the flag is permitted, but if ambiguous, the name of the country has to be printed below the flag in 6 pt or larger type. For multi-countries of origin, attach each flag. Same for a product that can come from plants in two different countries, if it can't be known.
b) for e-commerce stores, one if the images of the product has to be the above flag. For most software this is not a huge technical issue, they already have slots to upload images. Exception: The site can use one flag at the top w/appropriate text, if all products are from that country, "All products sold on this site are made in the USA"
c) for physical stores, the flag or origin has to be on the shelf price sticker. Same "All products made in USA"-type signage permitted, if this is true.
d) In those jurisdictions that do not require per unit pricing, the flag on the shelf sticker will be adequate. [trying for a reasonable compromise and not drive up labor costs]
e) penalty of $TBD for misrepresentation per product line, not per product, waiveable for the first half a year if corrected within a week. [not certain how to write this legally into an executive order, but there may already be a law against misrepresentation of the country of orgin].
This is an unfunded mandate, but not outrageously expensive. Almost all the flags of all countries are Emoji now and a sheets of avery labels or bulk clones aren't expensive, we're talking hundred of flag stickers for pennies, and your staff has to put the price tags on any way.
It informs the consumer and let's them make their own decision - good capitalism, not forced socialistic behavior.
It can be done faster then China disengagement, which can and still happen after, if the Chinese government continues to be assholes, and works for other countries in the future, if they behave poorly.
Time: phase in large stores like Walmart and Amazon first, Distributors next, then the Mom-and-Pop stores last.
Can it be done via an executive order or a Customs Service regulation?
An executive order just needs Trump.
A regulation could require more time and publication in the Congressional Register for 90 days and some other approvals, but if it passes, it's good.
Larger Red States can do this at the state level. If they are large enough, it's not worth it to print two boxes. California is probably a non-starter, but maybe Texas.
If a future administration decides to roll it back, they would have some explaining to do.
If it is proposed and looks like it is getting traction, companies may start changing their packaging in front of the regulation.
There is no downside for this, if another country does the same. It's just customer education as to where their product comes from.
The Guerrilla mode is to print a bunch of tasteful and small Chinese flag stickers and go to down at the local box stores, a little bit at a time, without harming the product, focusing on slower moving items first. This may be against some laws 'defacing someone else's property', and if caught, one could get trespassed from the store.
I did post this earlier, but here it is again.
Until we can disengage from countries now or in the future that are behaving badly, we need an executive order [or even law] that simply requires the flag(s) of the country of origin be:
a) printed on the package/box/carton/container and included instructions if any. For product in-country after the effective date of the order, a flag sticker applied after the fact is compliant. If the print is black-and-white only, a black-and-white rendition of the flag is permitted, but if ambiguous, the name of the country has to be printed below the flag in 6 pt or larger type. For multi-countries of origin, attach each flag. Same for a product that can come from plants in two different countries, if it can't be known.
b) for e-commerce stores, one if the images of the product has to be the above flag. For most software this is not a huge technical issue, they already have slots to upload images. Exception: The site can use one flag at the top w/appropriate text, if all products are from that country, "All products sold on this site are made in the USA"
c) for physical stores, the flag or origin has to be on the shelf price sticker. Same "All products made in USA"-type signage permitted, if this is true.
d) In those jurisdictions that do not require per unit pricing, the flag on the shelf sticker will be adequate. [trying for a reasonable compromise and not drive up labor costs]
e) penalty of $TBD for misrepresentation per product line, not per product, waiveable for the first half a year if corrected within a week. [not certain how to write this legally into an executive order, but there may already be a law against misrepresentation of the country of orgin].
This is an unfunded mandate, but not outrageously expensive. Almost all the flags of all countries are Emoji now and a sheets of avery labels or bulk clones aren't expensive, we're talking hundred of flag stickers for pennies, and your staff has to put the price tags on any way.
It informs the consumer and let's them make their own decision - good capitalism, not forced socialistic behavior.
It can be done faster then China disengagement, which can and still happen after, if the Chinese government continues to be assholes, and works for other countries in the future, if they behave poorly.
Time: phase in large stores like Walmart and Amazon first, Distributors next, then the Mom-and-Pop stores last.
Sounds like a bill that needs to be presented to Congress. Of course the commie bastards won't go for it.
Can it be done via an executive order or a Customs Service regulation?
An executive order just needs Trump.
A regulation could require more time and publication in the Congressional Register for 90 days and some other approvals, but if it passes, it's good.
Larger Red States can do this at the state level. If they are large enough, it's not worth it to print two boxes. California is probably a non-starter, but maybe Texas.
If a future administration decides to roll it back, they would have some explaining to do.
If it is proposed and looks like it is getting traction, companies may start changing their packaging in front of the regulation.
There is no downside for this, if another country does the same. It's just customer education as to where their product comes from.
The Guerrilla mode is to print a bunch of tasteful and small Chinese flag stickers and go to down at the local box stores, a little bit at a time, without harming the product, focusing on slower moving items first. This may be against some laws 'defacing someone else's property', and if caught, one could get trespassed from the store.
Of course not. China has bought them all.
I want to buy products and produce made in the USA....
I started visiting a butcher nearby... now buy things by the half. Local animals.
They told me they don't have a web presence because PETA messes with them. We had to do business face to face (gasp).