Santa Claus to Buy American This Year

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Santa Claus to Buy American This Year

Jack and Emma Claire Edwards and Gracie and Christina Dodd might need to update their Christmas wish lists. In a discussion on safety concerns on products coming from China, the two Democratic presidential candidates with young children said they won't be buying toys made there this holiday season. "No, ma'am, I will not" buy toys made in China, John Edwards pledged during a National Public Radio-sponsored debate yesterday in Iowa, as did Sen. Chris Dodd. "My toys are coming from Iowa," Mr. Dodd said, appealing to the local audience.

The Toy Industry Association estimates that about 80% of the three billion toys sold each year are made in China. "I hope they like Legos," said Ed Gresser, a pro-trade Democrat at the Progressive Policy Institute. "They're made in Denmark."

A quick check of the Bureau of Labor Statistics records turns up 10 small toymakers in Iowa, Mr. Gresser says. Together, they employ 113 people. "Sports equipment might be better," he said. "Iowa has 31 businesses with over a thousand employees. And the U.S. remains a pretty big producer of bats, balls, gloves, etc."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119682265215314007.html?mod=todays_us_page_one (subscription)