The Sky is the Limit in International Trade

INTRODUCTION

Looking back at human history with a microscope and looking forward with a telescope, it is fair to say, and many people will agree, that the following represents a true and valid statement:

                                    Mediterranean Ocean is the ocean of the past,

                                    Atlantic Ocean is the ocean of the present, and

                                    Pacific Ocean is the ocean of the future.

Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Persia, and Turkey etc. around the Mediterranean Sea were powerful countries in the 15-19 centuries. France, Germany, Great Britain and the United States are current world powers from the 18-21 centuries. Today, the United States of America is the only super power in the world, not only in economy, but also in medicine, sports, entertainment, military, space program, and high technology such as computers, internet, and telecommunication, etc. There is no other country which will come close to the United States of America. However, the United States is gradually losing the manufacturing edge to Asian countries along the Pacific Ocean day by day because of several factors which I will elaborate later. Asian Pacific countries like Japan, China, and four little dragons: Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong, (Hong Kong was returned to China by the British in 1997), are becoming more and more powerful economically in the world. China especially has progressed at such an amazing pace economically the last 10 years. It attracts so many developed countries’ capital and investment like a huge magnet. Because of its abundant labor force, huge infused foreign capital and investment, it will become the factory of the world. However as it continues at almost or close to double digits growth each year, the labor cost will raise. Some manufacturing may shift to other low labor cost Asian countries such as Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia etc. However the manufacturing works will remain in Asia for some years to come.

It is safe to say that most consumer goods and industrial products will have to come from Asia for the foreseeable future. It is in this vein that the importing business will become more and more important and more and more viable, attractive, and profitable business in the United States.

There are many ways to make a living. There are many ways to get rich. One of them is doing import business. If you walk around in a national trade show like New York International Gift Fairs or Atlanta International Gift Show, I bet you will run into a lot more millionaires than you would if you walk on a university campus.

The author has had twenty some years’ import and export experience. It is his intention to share his knowledge and experience with readers, so that some of the readers may benefit from this book and it is his wish that some of the readers may become great impor-

ters with fortune, prosperity and happiness in life.

According to some forecasts, by 2008(?), 80% of U.S. A.

employment will be in the service sector, i.e. the manufacturing employment will amount to only 20%. What an alarming and drastic change compared to the fifties or sixties when our manufacturing sectors were so vibrant and powerful. Now, because of many factors such as labor cost, production efficiency, work ethics, product liability law and our somewhat out-dated court system and justice system in general, most of our manufacturers have moved out of the country to China, Mexico, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines, India, and Vietnam, etc. Only a few industries such as high tech, automobile, defense and weaponry industries may stay for a while, but not forever. Guess who will provide the consumer goods, industrial parts, auto parts, machine parts etc. to fill the constant needs of U.S. A. market? Of course, it will be up to importers to do that job. The possibility and the op