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USBIC Sounds Alert on Manufacturing Trade Deficit

While the U.S. trade deficit rose only slightly in October, the manufacturing deficit skyrocketed by 20 percent—exports by U.S. manufacturers rose an impressive 7.8 percent in October, but imports of manufactured goods rose by 12.75 percent, according to the United States Business and Industry Council. Year to date, the manufacturing deficit through October stands at $512 billion, 2.85 percent less than the same period last year. The U.S. trade deficit with China increased 9.1 percent in October—U.S. exports rose by 1.28 percent while U.S. imports from China grew by 7.61 percent. And, most alarming, in light of the plunge of the value of the dollar versus the Euro, America’s trade deficit with Europe nearly doubled in October, with exports from U.S. companies rising by 4.14 percent compared to America’s goods imports from Europe growing by more than 26 percent. Learn more at www.americaneconomicalert.org.

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PBS Airs Segment Featuring Midwest Manufacturing

Ultra Tool & Manufacturing., Menomonee Falls, WI, recently was cited on a segment of the PBS program, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. The segment was the second of a series of reports on America’s response to globalization and how U.S. manufacturers are fighting to close the cost gap with global competition. A metalforming supplier for Harley-Davidson, Ultra Tool and Manufacturing demonstrated how it competes globally by designing products that reduce material costs and eliminate waste. View the complete segment on the PBS website: www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/business/july-dec07/globalization_11-29.html. Ultra Tool is online at www.ultratoolmfg.com.

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Lincoln Forms Joint Venture with Chinese Supplier

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., Cleveland, OH, has formed a majority-owned joint venture with Zhengzhou Heli Welding Materials Co., Ltd., a privately held manufacturer of submerged-arc-welding flux based in Zhengzhou, China. The acquisition fills a gap in Lincoln’s offerings in the Far East, say company officials, with locally manufactured wire and flux. Learn more at www.lincolnelectric.com.

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