The story: Donald Trump is "the nation's foremost China basher," says Justin Elliott at Salon. In recent years, the real estate tycoon, reality TV star, and GOP presidential prospect has slammed the Asian superpower for everything from undervaluing its currency to taking American manufacturing and jobs. Last year, Trump told Fox News that he buys American products over more affordable Chinese ones (calling the latter "crap" which falls apart "after a year and a half"). How surprising, then, that some of the garments in the Donald J. Trump Signature Collection sold at Macy's — which he bills as "the pinnacle of style" — are, according to their labels, "Made in China."
The reaction: "Oh, Department of Delicious Irony," says Mark Joyella at Mediaite. Maybe when Trump says Americans should stop buying made-in-China goods, he means that fans of the Donald J. Trump Signature Collection should buy only those items made in Mexico and Bangladesh. Wait, calling Trump a hypocrite for outsourcing to China is a "cheap shot," says Brian at Freedom's Lighthouse. As Trump pointed out in an interview with John King on CNN, he has no choice but to do business with China now that "so many products are not even made in the United States any longer." Hey, I like Trump, says Oliver Willis at his blog, but if he really believes "China is raping this country" — yes, he said that — he should do business elsewhere, even if it costs him a few bucks.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Critics’ choice: Restaurants worthy of their buzzfeature A fun bistro, a reservation worth the wait, and a modern twist on Mexican dishes
-
Film reviews: Snow White, Death of a Unicorn, and The Alto KnightsFeature A makeover for Disney’s first animated feature, greedy humans earn nature’s wrath, and a feud between crime bosses rattles the mob
-
Bombs or talks: What’s next in the US-Iran showdown?Talking Points US gives Tehran a two-month deadline to deal
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to goThe Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala HarrisThe Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
