Msg: 2398 *Conference*
04-17-92 08:33:53
From: JIM SAMUEL
To : STEPHEN MELCHER
Subj: REPLY TO MSG #2395 (GOVERMENT KILLS 102??)
I haven't heard what you heard about Panasonic but it would make sense. Panasonic does make laptops here (as their own, Tandy, and Grid) but they use imported LCD screens that are subjected to the tariff. There is no US manufacturer who makes laptop LCD screens, so everyone who assembles them in the US has to use imported screens and pay the tariff. IF Pannasonic started making them here, they would avoid the tariff for themselves and would probably be able to sell them to other US makers who also want to avoid the tariff and can't move production overseas. Ironic, isn't it? The government imposes a tariff to protect a non-existent US industry. The result, US manufacturers move production overseas and a Japanese company moves LCD product here. Maybe it's the water in Washington.....