US too reliant on other countries?

[CourtingErmine]

Exactly how reliant is the US on other countries, the answer may surprise you. We rely on China for a majority of our manufactured goods. We rely on our enemies for oil in the Middle East. Honest to god, if we were to be shut off from the rest of the world tomorrow, would we survive? Back in the 60's I believe, there was a big debate on whether to drill for oil or not, and of course, the evironmentalists said no. That was basically it, and that was the start of our dependency on foreign oil. If you have an other example of a dependency, say it.

[Professional Russian]

I dont think we rely on other countries i think its because its cheaper and being the U.S. the cheaper the better. now if any of those idiots in washington could figure out we export more oil from the U.S. than we import we take the oil made here which would probably be cheaper and use it instead of saudi arabias oil

[Twilly F. Sniper]

Yes. Especially China and the middle east.
Most of our products are manufactured in China. Some in North Korea.
The Middle East is where the U.S. gets the majority of oil from, when we have our own giant oil field. Oklahoma.
Supposedly Chinese are paid less to do the work. This makes me think America is freaking lazy.

[JimmyIsNowAMan]

We depend on labor from mexico to pick crops but we won't give these people any kinds of rights of citizenship. No one in the US will do their hard jobs. The US wants it both ways. It's like admitting we're dependent on foreign farm workers.

[Manjusri]

Although the united states does import the majority of our goods, we'd also be able to support ourselves it if came down to it.
You already said we have oil reserves, we've just decided against using them. If the middle east were to cut off our supply yes, we would have a shortage. But we still do have our own reserves that we've barely tapped into yet.
Also with most of our manufactured goods coming from china, we could produce the same products if needed to. However the united states was once the richest country, and we decided to be lazy and buy all of our shit.

Now we're losing more money than we're making though, it will be interesting to see what happeneds when we are cut off. :)

[FreeFall]

I adore how we good ole Americans cry "They're taking our jobs!" when most of us weren't willing to take those jobs in the first place. Whether we like it our not someone's got to find out the sex of a chicken.

I feel like we'd take a good month to struggle to find our footing if/when we get cut off.

[azorne]

True, but China depends on the US and EU for exporting. Truth be told, no country, not even China would be able to survive on its own, not in today's interconnected world.

[Human]

True, but China depends on the US and EU for exporting. Truth be told, no country, not even China would be able to survive on its own, not in today's interconnected world.
This... no country has every resource possible so every country is dependent on importing in some way

[CourtingErmine]

This... no country has every resource possible so every country is dependent on importing in some way

Ehh, the US could survive with a lot, oil reserves, and we actually have a lot more resources than you think. The US could do this on their own, it would just take some getting over butthurt and do hubs we don't want to do(we could use them). We could survive for a while if we lose fat from the country. i.e. Making more of our own products, making ghettos go to work.

[Zarakly]

I'm pretty sure the US doesn't get the oil from the East. We get ours from South America. We are in the East to help other countries get oil...or at least thats how it was. Desert Storm we were protecting Kuwait, not trying to capture it and use it for ourselves...

[Neptune]

To answer your country, yes, we would survive. The United States of America has a lot of oil off our coasts... however, if were cut off from the rest of the world, would it really matter if we had oil? Chances are that the reason would be so catastrophic that cars wouldn't be a viable option of transportation and we would have to return to the way our ancestors traveled. Walking or horses.

And regarding manufacturing, yes, yes, we use China and that's all bad and all but why would China cut us off? Do you understand how much the American economy is tied to the Chinese economy? And why would the Chinese purposely tank their own economy?

[FreeFall]

I'm pretty sure the US doesn't get the oil from the East. We get ours from South America. We are in the East to help other countries get oil...or at least thats how it was. Desert Storm we were protecting Kuwait, not trying to capture it and use it for ourselves...
Whoa you're actually correct on that. I googled it quick and found on npr (not too certain on how reliable a site it is, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt since it's a dot org site) that we import more from Canada, Latin America and bits of Africa.

But the question still stands I suppose, just now with more places of origin for our oil. I change my estimate though, give us a couple of months maybe a little over half of a yea and America could probably function well enough cut off from the world.

[CourtingErmine]

A lot of you don't realize that China's a ticking time bomb. It's going to happen soon. They're system of government will implode, and with that the military. Ticking time bomb. They aren't even allowed social media just like N.Korea.

Actually, we do get oil from our enemies. Reason why gas prices are wayy to high?! The EU is screwed, the euro is about to be worthless, France.

To sum it all up, our generation is absolutely fucked. We shouldn't have to fix our ancestors mess, but we do, that's life, really unfair. WWII screwed us up, we "recovered", but that set-up was temporary, and now we need to fix it.

[Cicero]

We arent dependent on anyone. But we get a lot of oil from the middle east and a lot of stuff from china. The US has more oil than the middle east, but many say were waiting to dig it up. Were waiting because we wanna wait till the middle east is closer to drying up. Then everyone in the US will become like the middle eastern people, rich. Very smart US, very very smart ahah :P

[CourtingErmine]

We arent dependent on anyone. But we get a lot of oil from the middle east and a lot of stuff from china. The US has more oil than the middle east, but many say were waiting to dig it up. Were waiting because we wanna wait till the middle east is closer to drying up. Then everyone in the US will become like the middle eastern people, rich. Very smart US, very very smart ahah :P

That really contradicts itself. We aren't dependent but we get everything from other countries. Like I said before, I know we have oil reserves, and the dens said no to using them.

[Magus]

Thanks for this dependancy, we are not hungry camel herder.

Also why do you keep calling us enemies?

Desert Storm we were protecting Kuwait, not trying to capture it and use it for ourselves...

plus. For not calling up 'enemies'.

[darkwoon]

The dependency in the next century will not anymore be about oil. It will be about rare earth elements.

The US are dependent on lots of countries, not only for its raw material supplies, but also for its finished products exports. That's not an issue, though, as long as external dependencies are diversified enough.

Going back to a protectionist stance calling for "self-reliance" is futile and economically backward - unless you want to go the global empire route, as Brittain did in the 19th century. But for that, you need human/social resources the US currently doesn't have.

[CourtingErmine]

Thanks for this dependancy, we are not hungry camel herder.

Also why do you keep calling us enemies?



plus. For not calling up 'enemies'.

Big oil owners in the Middle East are our enemies. Disagree with it all you want, companies like Citgo are owned by them. My father literally will drive past a Citgo on an empty tank with no other stations in sight. Bottom line, the BIG OIL OWNERS are our(the US') enemies, not the hungry camel herders. How you took that out of context, I don't know. I feel bad for the citizens in the line of fire. This would be over if we just fire-bombed or nuked Abuda-Bad(excuse the misspelling), sent all civlians ten miles away, and BOOM, Al-Queda and the Taliban are dead, most of the soldiers are dead, they surrender. Most of the problems in the Middle East is over. Of course, this was back in 2003, and we made the mistake of a cease fire, and lost track of Bin Laden.

[darkwoon]

Big oil owners in the Middle East are our enemies. Disagree with it all you want, companies like Citgo are owned by them. My father literally will drive past a Citgo on an empty tank with no other stations in sight. Bottom line, the BIG OIL OWNERS are our(the US') enemies, not the hungry camel herders. How you took that out of context, I don't know.
I wonder in which way they are the enemies of the US. Because they sell their oil, instead of giving it for free? Get real.

I feel bad for the citizens in the line of fire. This would be over if we just fire-bombed or nuked Abuda-Bad(excuse the misspelling), sent all civlians ten miles away, and BOOM, Al-Queda and the Taliban are dead, most of the soldiers are dead, they surrender.
You don't seem to realize that bombing a whole country doesn't help removing extremists at all - quite the opposite, it usually strengthen them, because they can play on the "defense against the US imperialism".

Expecting a nation to surrender just because they are bombed is plain dumb - this is known since the Blitz in 1940.

Most of the problems in the Middle East is over. Of course, this was back in 2003, and we made the mistake of a cease fire, and lost track of Bin Laden.
The problem is not Bin Laden. The problem is Islamism (extremists muslims) - and the only long-term effect of the war was an overall rise of the islamist movement in the Middle East.

[CourtingErmine]

I wonder in which way they are the enemies of the US. Because they sell their oil, instead of giving it for free? Get real.


You don't seem to realize that bombing a whole country doesn't help removing extremists at all - quite the opposite, it usually strengthen them, because they can play on the "defense against the US imperialism".

Expecting a nation to surrender just because they are bombed is plain dumb - this is known since the Blitz in 1940.


The problem is not Bin Laden. The problem is Islamism (extremists muslims) - and the only long-term effect of the war was an overall rise of the islamist movement in the Middle East.

They sell oil to us at ridiculous prices, but we have to buy it, because the dems don't want to drill. I don't expect oil for free.

Bombing Abuda-bad would've removed very great threats. Again, evacuate all civilians, 90% of the movement would be dead. They wouldn't be able to recover from that. I know it's the Islamists, but Bin Laden, both father and son, are the heads of the movement, very great threats. If we had done that, we wouldn't be where we are now. Another, don't treat me like an idiot, I can blow you out of the water in a debate.

[StoppingTime]

They sell oil to us at ridiculous prices, but we have to buy it, because the dems don't want to drill. I don't expect oil for free.

Bombing Abuda-bad would've removed very great threats. Again, evacuate all civilians, 90% of the movement would be dead. They wouldn't be able to recover from that. I know it's the Islamists, but Bin Laden, both father and son, are the heads of the movement, very great threats. If we had done that, we wouldn't be where we are now. Another, don't treat me like an idiot, I can blow you out of the water in a debate.

If you kill a leader of a terrorist organization, all they will do is replace them with a new one, so that doesn't help at all.

[CourtingErmine]

If you kill a leader of a terrorist organization, all they will do is replace them with a new one, so that doesn't help at all.

Yes, it actually does. 2003, Abuda-bad, we had complete control of the mountain. We, out of mercy, called a temp. cease fire. They all escaped, most of the Taliban and Al-Queda. Seriously, read the WHOLE post, not part of it.

[shyguy21]

Bombing Abuda-bad would've removed very great threats. Again, evacuate all civilians, 90% of the movement would be dead. They wouldn't be able to recover from that. I know it's the Islamists, but Bin Laden, both father and son, are the heads of the movement, very great threats. If we had done that, we wouldn't be where we are now. Another, don't treat me like an idiot, I can blow you out of the water in a debate.
Its not that easy. You would be digging yourself some huge hole in relations. I would imagine it would be extremely hard convincing anyone that bombing or nuking would be a viable strategy. Don't forget that even if you were to get rid of Al-Qaeda, you still have other growing terrorist organizations. Plus, the public perception of the US(West) in the Middle East would nosedive, so... And yes, you're right, we would be in a worse situation

[Cicero]

That really contradicts itself. We aren't dependent but we get everything from other countries. Like I said before, I know we have oil reserves, and the dens said no to using them.

If we were dependent on china, there would horrible consequences if they stopped providing for us. But there arent horrible consequences, because were not dependent on them. Sure, things would be slightly higher priced cause there not made in china. As i said before, we have way more oil than the middle east. if they were to stop providing for us, there would be a big shift in oil, but we would just start using our own. and make more money.

[CourtingErmine]

If we were dependent on china, there would horrible consequences if they stopped providing for us. But there arent horrible consequences, because were not dependent on them. Sure, things would be slightly higher priced cause there not made in china. As i said before, we have way more oil than the middle east. if they were to stop providing for us, there would be a big shift in oil, but we would just start using our own. and make more money.

Most of what we get IS from China dumbass, look on the bottom of a label, it should say, Made In _____, which is mostly China. You guys are completely clueless when it comes to this, you refuse to look at the facts, and blurt out your opinion. Again, I know we have a shit ton of oil, but we depend on most of it from the Middle East.

[Cicero]

Most of what we get IS from China dumbass, look on the bottom of a label, it should say, Made In _____, which is mostly China. You guys are completely clueless when it comes to this, you refuse to look at the facts, and blurt out your opinion. Again, I know we have a shit ton of oil, but we depend on most of it from the Middle East.

maybe most of what you get. the stuff i have mostly says, made in usa, made in taiwan, and made in italy.

[TheMatrix]

Most of what we get IS from China dumbass, look on the bottom of a label, it should say, Made In _____, which is mostly China. You guys are completely clueless when it comes to this, you refuse to look at the facts, and blurt out your opinion. Again, I know we have a shit ton of oil, but we depend on most of it from the Middle East.

You need to calm down. There is no reason to explode like that on a forum dedicated to helping others.
If you -- or anyone else for that matter -- do it again, infractions will be handed out.

[Magus]

Big oil owners in the Middle East are our enemies. Disagree with it all you want, companies like Citgo are owned by them. My father literally will drive past a Citgo on an empty tank with no other stations in sight. Bottom line, the BIG OIL OWNERS are our(the US') enemies, not the hungry camel herders. How you took that out of context, I don't know. I feel bad for the citizens in the line of fire. This would be over if we just fire-bombed or nuked Abuda-Bad(excuse the misspelling), sent all civlians ten miles away, and BOOM, Al-Queda and the Taliban are dead, most of the soldiers are dead, they surrender. Most of the problems in the Middle East is over. Of course, this was back in 2003, and we made the mistake of a cease fire, and lost track of Bin Laden.

I don't see how a company oil an enemy. They export and import oil, and sell it for a good price. It's a business, like allother businesses.

Also, there is no citizen in the line of fire. Beside Kuwait(by Iraq, in 1990), no other country in the gulf or other oil exporter was in the "line of fire."

Also, those terrorists are concentrated in populated areas. Also, Afghanistan is not an oil exporter. So why bother nuking? Nuking Afghanistan will send the world to a rage tantrum, or, is that a way to say " we are 'Murica and we can get away with anything"?

There wasn't any problem in the middle-east. I fail to understand the "problem".

Also, his eldest son is living freely, and has nothing to do with his father...

Jeez, you are worse than Pro. Russkie. :p

[azorne]

Whoa you're actually correct on that. I googled it quick and found on npr (not too certain on how reliable a site it is, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt since it's a dot org site) that we import more from Canada, Latin America and bits of Africa.


Sorry to burst your bubble, but anybody can register a .org domain, its not meant exclusively for organizations.

[Silicate Wielder]

We wouldn't all have to walk or ride horses, we have bikes! I prefer bicycling over walking. :)

I want to get out of the U.S nowadays :P

[CourtingErmine]

I don't see how a company oil an enemy. They export and import oil, and sell it for a good price. It's a business, like allother businesses.

Also, there is no citizen in the line of fire. Beside Kuwait(by Iraq, in 1990), no other country in the gulf or other oil exporter was in the "line of fire."

Also, those terrorists are concentrated in populated areas. Also, Afghanistan is not an oil exporter. So why bother nuking? Nuking Afghanistan will send the world to a rage tantrum, or, is that a way to say " we are 'Murica and we can get away with anything"?

There wasn't any problem in the middle-east. I fail to understand the "problem".

Also, his eldest son is living freely, and has nothing to do with his father...

Jeez, you are worse than Pro. Russkie. :p

Maybe I'm just too "extremist conservative" for ya.

[vitorioso]

Maybe I'm just too "extremist conservative" for ya.

And a bit rude, sir. You are being very brash and quick-mouthed at this, which is suppose to be a intellectual debate.

Also, China has one of the world's most populous statistics for social media. Most urban Chinese use social media on their phones, which is how many Chinese interact with the Internet. Please check your source for that "fact" of yours that social media is blocked in China, thank you.

[Magus]

Please check your source for that "fact" of yours that social media is blocked in China, thank you.

Yes, it's true that China have not banned social media network website; however, they are heavily monitred.

And yes, some networks and websites, such as google and facebook, are in the list of banned websites in China.

Well, you can easily gain access to them, if you know a lot about computer networking.

[CourtingErmine]

One of my sisters college roommates is a Chinese foreign exchange student, and she has said that social media is banned.

[Professional Russian]

One of my sisters college roommates is a Chinese foreign exchange student, and she has said that social media is banned.

Social media=Facebook,ETC.

[CourtingErmine]

Social media=Facebook,ETC.

I know that, but more are banned.

[Professional Russian]

I know that, but more are banned.

YOu sure your thinking about north korea? im pretty sure they have all social networking banned

[Magus]

YOu sure your thinking about north korea? im pretty sure they have all social networking banned

Are you mad? They don't even have computers, to begin with!

[jackson94]

Ok I'm not sure if this has been corrected yet. But I had to say this.

We don't rely on China for the majority of our manufactured goods, that's ridiculous. We don't rely on our "enemies" for oil. 13% of our oil comes from the middle east, 8% of that is from Saudi Arabia (an ally). The majority of our oil comes domestically or from Canada.

[vitorioso]

With 147 million users, Renren is China's most popular social network. Though, as many have said, American based networks such as Facebook are banned.

Source: http://mashable.com/2012/07/02/china-social-networks/

[Professional Russian]

Are you mad? They don't even have computers, to begin with!

Well i didnt know that i just knew that north korea was really strict with with the media