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Stimulus opportunities for China

Tourists visit the reopened Qianmen Avenue in Beijing.

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Steve Chiotakis: President Barack Obama says doing nothing could lead to an economic disaster. In an editorial in this morning's Washington Post, the president said each day that the nation waits on fixing the economy, more jobs, savings and homes are lost. Mr. Obama says his more than $900 billion economic stimulus plan is not just a short-term fix, but an economic growth strategy.

The U.S. Senate is weighing in on that package of course, and America's foreign trade partners are breathing a sigh of relief today after lawmakers watered down the controversial "Buy America" provision. There also seems to be some world-wide business opportunity. From Shanghai, here's Marketplace's Scott Tong.


Scott Tong:/strong> Foreign companies smell opportunity in the stimulus bill. Take green power.
The bill if it passes would bring a $150 billion into clean energy. And China has nurtured this sector for years to clear up polluted skies here.

Beijing attorney Lester Ross says one of the most advanced sectors is solar panels.

Lester Ross: There's been a great deal of investment here in China. And China, of course, has a number of advantages in terms of costs. So China has become quite competitive in this regard. And a number of Chinese companies have attracted foreign capital to help them to grow faster.

Infrastructure work would draw Chinese bidders, too: everything from steel suppliers to drywall to copper wiring.

The Buy America clause remains in the House bill, so foreign governments in Europe and Japan continue to lobby Congress. Beijing's been more muted, but an official at the Commerce Ministry tells us China is negotiating behind the scenes.

In Shanghai, I'm Scott Tong for Marketplace.

About the author

Scott Tong is a correspondent for Marketplace’s sustainability desk, with a focus on energy, environment, resources, climate, supply chain and the global economy. Follow Scott on Twitter @tongscott
Steven Borek's picture
Steven Borek - Feb 9, 2009

This is government spending for the good of the people, spend it so that it has the most impact for our economy. Free trade is a private enterprise issue. Did we request foreign bids for our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is not a good comparison to the trade barriers of the 1930's, we had a trade surplus not a deficit in 1930's. Our trade deficit indicates we are living beyond our means so let's kick the habit.