China and the hypocrisy of corporate globalization

China, it seems, has aroused a certain degree of ire in the U.S. because of a trade imbalance that has now reached $202 billion. Even the World Trade Organization has weighed in on China's trade practices, suggesting China should revalue its currency, crack down on product piracy, and liberalize its services industry.

Neither the U.S. nor the WTO mention the most obvious problem, i.e. the massive subsidy China offers its manufacturers via coerced labour. Chinese workers are denied freedom of association, specifically the right to bargain collectively and freely for their working conditions. If they weren't, I suspect the hostility over trade would be greatly mitigated as workers in the two countries competed more equitably. Chinese prices would rise in response to better pay and working conditions for their labour force, and the trade imbalance would decline.

This would also create a freer market and fairer trade, which is what economic globalization is supposed to be about. Yet, it isn't even mentioned. The reason is no great mystery. Cheap labour in China is of very great advantage to international corporations, and this is what globalization is really about. The goal is to make life merrier for corporations, even at the expense of workers and the environment. Even at the expense of free trade in its fullest sense.

I like the idea of being a world citizen; consequently, I strongly support globalization. But only a globalization designed in the interests of people and the environment and in which the interests of corporations are incidental. Sadly, this is not the globalization we are creating.