World War 3

[baggieal]

Don't disagree with a word of what you had said but anyone reading this thread would believe we make very little and that is not true. I had a similar conversation in the pub where the other 3 in the group were firmly of the opinion our manufacturing base had all but disappeared. I do like to challenge an incorrect statement.

As regards PPE the French were heavily criticised for stocking up on PPE after bird flu for 'wasting' money that could be better spent on other health services and de-stocked. In future I think most countries should try and become self sufficient in PPE so they are ready for the next one.

Serious question for anyone on here. Should we try and compete with China and a host of other Asian low cost economies?

In answer to your question - we can’t compete as whilst raw materials could be purchased at a similar cost - can you imagine telling our nationals to work for 50 pounds a week! Labour is usually the highest cost built into any manufacturing or service provision which is why after all the costs are crunched - the Chinese will always be cheaper! Walmart that owns Asda is a serious animal with buying professionals but a good many of their suppliers are in China for a specific reason! Trump would love to ditch China but he knows it’s not viable!

Should we tell all those Romanian fruit pickers to go f uck themselves and go home and wait for the huge response from our own nationals frothing at the mouth to bend their backs and do a 12 hour shift?

[mickd1961]

Don't disagree with a word of what you had said but anyone reading this thread would believe we make very little and that is not true. I had a similar conversation in the pub where the other 3 in the group were firmly of the opinion our manufacturing base had all but disappeared. I do like to challenge an incorrect statement.

As regards PPE the French were heavily criticised for stocking up on PPE after bird flu for 'wasting' money that could be better spent on other health services and de-stocked. In future I think most countries should try and become self sufficient in PPE so they are ready for the next one.

Serious question for anyone on here. Should we try and compete with China and a host of other Asian low cost economies?

The balance of trade figures show just how reliant we are on imports.

As for your last paragraph...........the only way we can compete is if the item being produced is highly automated and requiring very little in terms of a man needing a wage.

I intend looking into PPE once this is all over and I can get around and speak to the right people.

I think there will be a massive opportunity for private sales of PPE once the peak of the crisis is over and I can see it becoming a “must have” item for many and for there to become a fashion aspect to it.

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

In answer to your question - we can’t compete as whilst raw materials could be purchased at a similar cost - can you imagine telling our nationals to work for 50 pounds a week! Labour is usually the highest cost built into any manufacturing or service provision which is why after all the costs are crunched - the Chinese will always be cheaper! Walmart that owns Asda is a serious animal with buying professionals but a good many of their suppliers are in China for a specific reason! Trump would love to ditch China but he knows it’s not viable!

Should we tell all those Romanian fruit pickers to go f uck themselves and go home and wait for the huge response from our own nationals frothing at the mouth to bend their backs and do a 12 hour shift?

I know we can't compete, everyone knows we can't compete. I'm putting you in charge. Which way would you go? Pay nationals £50, pay em a living wage and up inflation , or stay as we are unless you have another option.

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

The balance of trade figures show just how reliant we are on imports.

As for your last paragraph...........the only way we can compete is if the item being produced is highly automated and requiring very little in terms of a man needing a wage.

I intend looking into PPE once this is all over and I can get around and speak to the right people.

I think there will be a massive opportunity for private sales of PPE once the peak of the crisis is over and I can see it becoming a “must have” item for many and for there to become a fashion aspect to it.

Love it. Hope the PPE will sourced here?

[9goals2hattricks3pen]

Donald Trump has said he has proof that Coronavirus was started in a Wuhan lab.
A lot of countries in world are pointing their fingers at China as well. I think there is a a chance that China will be treated as a pariah and be shunned by the commercial world, it wouldn't surprise me to see trade embargoes put in place.
China has the fastest growing economy in the world and is responsible for manufacturing a lot of the world's commodities.
A trade embargo especially by America would be viewed as an act of aggression by the Chinese.
Pearl Harbour was caused by America putting an embargo on Japan starving them of oil. Japan at the time was a

Things must be serious when for the first time since 1951 The Archers have stopped tee tummin. It's rumoured UK nuclear subs surface to check if the Archers is still playing. If it is they know all is well. Not actually true they surface to hear Radio 4's Today Programme.

[westcountryvillain]

Mick thanks for articulating the situation much better than I did and shame on me for not being clearer - I agree entirely it's the labour cost first and foremost so we would be looking at huge prices to make & then buy British.