The Boston-based company is renewing its opposition to the far-reaching Pacific Rim trade deal, saying the Obama administration reneged on a promise to give the sneaker maker a fair shot at military business if it stopped bad-mouthing the agreement.
On several occasions (here) I’ve discussed the TPP and although I realize that the passage will further gut industry in America, I also realize that it is a necessary evil in a world where the consumer is no longer a conscious consumer.
In the perfect world the consumer would look at a company and take into consideration what is behind that company and then make a purchase. Instead the consumer looks at what is marketed or what is perceived as “cool” and then they purchase. This is why certain brands are dominant and growing at the rate of startups even after 40 years.
Customer education is critical if American factories are going to garner support for their products. The American people are going to have to believe and know that the product that is made in America is twice as good as what is made abroad. I just don’t know if this can be done when made in America has a premium price and often lacks a premium endorser.
New Balance is pissed off. I get it, but they wouldn’t give a damn about the TPP if they would have garnered the contract for the DoD. I admire their position, but it is slightly hypocritical in that the only reason they seem to be against it is because their deal fell through.
