Trading with China, is it ethical?

[fried-chicken]

hi,

I have found i product i want to sell here in the UK, it is made in china.

I really believe in having good ethics in business.

do you think its is right to trade with china, knowing many "stories" and reports of human rights infringments?

I did alot of research about 2 years ago now and i opted not to trade. is the situation just the same now?

where do you stand of issues like this?

 

[LeetPCUser2]

I would trade. What they do in their country is their business. I mean, if it is the product you want for the desired price and is completely legal from both your country and the other countries perspective, why not?

 

[Brian]

If it bothers you about the state of the workers in China, don't buy. However, is it unethical? Eh, thats a toss up, if you say yes, then pretty much every store in the US is unethical as they all have something made in China.

 

[franchise]

If it bothers you about the state of the workers in China, don't buy. However, is it unethical? Eh, thats a toss up, if you say yes, then pretty much every store in the US is unethical as they all have something made in China.

I'm with you Brian. Ultimately...you will do business with China one way or the other.

 

[G_C]

I think it's absolutely ethical, to be honest. I do not support the position of the Chinese government, but at the end of the day, by not trading with China, you'd be hurting yourself and you'd also be hurting the people of China (since the consequences of trading and the currency derived from it revebrate through the economy).

The wealthier the Chinese are, the less likely they are to put up with an oppressive government for long. So in a way, trading with China is probably ethical because you help them develop their economy, and, as a consequence, help aid the growth of the middle class, which is historically interested in liberal governments.

 

[Kate]

Trading with China does not mean supporting their form of government.
If you are satisfied that the trade will actually support honest workers and their families go for it.
If you think the products are the results of human right abuses or will only fill bureaucrat pockets - I would feel bad and not do it. You would need to investigate the whole thing and vet suppliers which may be difficult without reliable local contacts.
I think it is OK to boycott a country but it should be done discriminately.
It maybe useful to get in touch with certain NGOs who are more knowledgeable and could tell you about the situation pertaining to your area of business.

 

[floatingworld]

care to name any ethical countries?

 

[apexad]

I agree with the general opinion of this thread. Trading with china is totally ok. Just because you trade with them does not mean you support their government or things that are done in the country. Trading simply means you have something that someone else wants. If the person/company/whatever pays you at a generally accepted fair price and you deliver a product/service/whatever, there should be no other thought.