Consider this proposal which would have a massive, salutary impact in the Western Hemisphere, both economically and politically: to begin to move offshore production of imported goods from China to Central/South America. This move would provide the following benefits:
1. Improved economic growth and stability in impoverished central/South American regions.
2. Reduced impetus to emigrate from Latin America to the U.S. (especially illegally, in the case of many unskilled workers) due to the new presence of economic opportunities in these countries, both in upgrading production facilities and transportation/power infrastructure, as well as manufacturing.
3. China, the most powerful adversary of the U.S. and a consistent human rights violator and pollutor, would be weakened economically and thus geopolitically, reducing its increasingly hostile leverage over the rest of the world.
4. Decreased environmental impact of long-distance shipping, as shipping distances would be much shorter from Latin America than from China.
5. Reduced risk of maritime piracy since no ocean-based shipping would be required in hostile Middle Eastern and African regions.
Obviously, production facilities and transportation infrastructure are underdeveloped in Latin America as compared to China, presenting the major challenge to be dealt with. But if these investments are made, the entire world will experience the benefits.
To the reader: If you agree, please forward this to your congressional representative.
Jeff Novotny
Mesa, Ariz.