Made In America Week: 5 Trump-Brand Items Not Made In America
President Donald Trump’s “Made in America” week kicked off Monday, but many of the products that Trump's own companies sell are not, in fact, made in America. When asked about that fact Monday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer demurred.
“It’s not appropriate for me to stand up here and comment about a business. I believe that is a little out of bounds,” said Spicer.
READ: Trump Approval Ratings: 67% Disapprove President's Twitter Use, New Poll Says
On Monday Trump held a “Made in America” event at the White House, inviting companies from all 50 states to showcase products manufactured in the U.S. The event featured brands such as Stetson cowboy hats, made in Texas, and Steinway Pianos, made in New York.
Many of the American-made items were featured on the White House's South Lawn. However, notably not featured were any of the Trump-brand wares. Rick Johnson, CEO of Oklahoma company Ditch Witch, thinks it would be better if Trump-branded items were made in the U.S.
“I think it would set a good example for all companies,” said Johnson to the New York Post Monday.
Forbes Magazine estimated in February that Trump’s product branding business is worth somewhere between $6 to $10 million. The following items comprise a list of Trump-branded items that are made primarily in foreign countries.
1. Trump Ties
The ties sold by the Trump organization are made mostly in China, according to the president, who talked about it openly on the campaign trail last year.
“I talk about my ties in speeches. I'm open. I say my ties many times are made in China,” said Trump in an interview last July on CNN. “ It's very hard to have apparel made in this country.”
Poltifact found last year that in addition to China, Trump ties were made in Indonesia and Vietnam as well.
2. Suits
The materials used to make Trump’s suits, shirts and suit jackets are made in a variety of places. On Amazon, many of the suits are listed as imported.
BuzzFeed News found some of the suits to be manufactured in Indonesia. BuzzFeed News also visited a factory in Honduras that makes Trump shirts. In a 2016 ABC News interview, Trump acknowledged that suits were also made in Mexico.
3. Eyeglasses
Trump’s glasses, which can be purchased at eyeglasses.com, are listed as being manufactured in China.
4. Furniture
Trump’s furniture offerings are from several countries including Turkey, China and Germany. Furniture Today reported in 2015 that brass and stainless steel pieces and components of Trump's furniture brand were made in Germany, while upholstery components were made in Turkey. Other items, such as lamps, are listed on Amazon as originating from China.
5. Trump Hotel toiletries
Toiletry items at Trump Hotels such as shampoo, body wash, moisturizers, shower caps and laundry bags were made in China, according to the Washington Post last year. Pens were made in China and Taiwan.
READ: Why Is Donald Trump More Popular Than Hillary Clinton?
Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter and advisor, has a fashion line that relies on low-wage workers creating her clothes in factories in Bangladesh, Indonesia and China, according to the Washington Post last week.
Some of Trump’s items are made in the United States, however. Trump’s Make America Great hats are made in Los Angeles, according to the Associated Press last year.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.