We had the same discussion about a year ago or so, only then it was India! :-)

>It's a matter of time. In 20-30 years maybe China people will be rich enought to off shore production to Canada <g>
>
>>>It's not that the US or Canada can't make their own toothpaste, they can, but not at the same cost as China. When the customers will accept to pay more in exchange of local production, then they will avoid these kind of problems, will have jobs back and will be good for the environment (bringing goods from China produce a lot of pollution).
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>>The trouble is, it's not that easy to find (many) products that are not made in China.
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>>6 months ago I almost passed on some luggage when the salesman answered my question as to where it was made. When he told me China (it was supposedly a 'Canadian' brand (Heys)) I said I wasn't interested. But he showed my 5 others at random and all were made in China. So I bought the one that interested me.
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>>Last Saturday I was looking to buy a pair of slacks (lost 2 inches at my waist < s >). Virtually all were made in China. I found one brand made in Mexico, with cloth manufactured in the U.S.A and they were OK so I bought them.
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>>My sister-in-law told me this weekend about some tinned peaches she bought. She happened to notice that they said "made in China". She put them back and decided that it was worth 5 cents extra to buy some non Chinese produced peaches.
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>>It's getting harder and harder to find alternatives to Chinese-produced goods.
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>>And companies are doing their best to make such a determination harder.
>>For example, a few months ago I had bought a frozen pizza ("Dr. Oetker" brand) and found that the box simply said "Imported for Dr. Oetker (Canada) Inc., Mississauga, ON". Since the box also had a 1-800 consumer hotline phone number I used it and asked where the pizza was actually manufactured (fearing the answer would be China). Believe it or not they were unable to answer right away but promised to get back to me. A day later they did call back, telling me that the pizzas were made in GERMANY!!!
>>I had a similar experience with some toothpaste, where the box and tube both only stated "Proctor and Gamble Inc., Toronto ON Canada". It did not say "made in" or "made for" or "imported by".
>>When I asked where it was made they answered quickly "Well it's made in Canada of course" and when I asked them how I would know that from the labelling the answer was 'If it's made in another country we always put "Made in Xxxxxx" on the label. I still don't get that 'logic', except to say that they feel its in their interest to keep origins as obscure as possible.
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>>>
>>>>Well, the head of China’s Food and Drug Administration is to be executed.
>>>>
>>>>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/29/health/main2860989.shtml
>>>>
>>>>That should show the United States that China does not want any concerns for exports to our country to be of questionable quality.
>>>>
>>>>Did you know that China exports toothpaste to the United States? It seems strange that a country with our capabilities cannot make its own toothpaste. Perhaps everything we eat, wear and purchase comes from China.
>>>>
>>>>The good news is that our FDA reports that there is no evidence that contaminated toothpaste has made its way into the United States, as has been reported by other countries.
>>>>
>>>>http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/05/23/china.toothpaste.reut/index.html
>>>>
>>>>Would you like to be the next head of China’s Food and Drug Administration?
>>>>
>>>>Where big money is involved perception is very important. Consumers might become upset and not purchase your products if it is thought that they are unsafe. You might think about where your toothpaste came from next time you brush your teeth. Just look at yourself in the mirror and be assured that everything is alright. If any product from China has a health issue they will execute the head of its Food and Drug Administration. I feel better already.