The United States is a nation located in the global economy, and we get enormous, enormous benefits from dealing with foreigners.

In the 'Nike Economy,' there are no standards, no borders and no rules. Clearly, the global economy isn't working for workers in China and Indonesia and Burma any more than it is for workers here in the United States.

I don't think we will crumble the economy of the United States on May 1 but we will make a dent.

As the United States' $12 trillion-per-year economy becomes increasingly integrated with China's 1.3 billion-person economy . . . trade and investment will continue to grow, creating jobs and increasing prosperity in both the United States and China.

Just as much as the United States mattered to cotton, cotton mattered to the United States. Cotton reinvigorated slavery, established the young nation's place in the global economy, and eventually helped create the political and economic conflicts that resulted in civil war.

You know, without China there is no Wal-Mart and without Wal-Mart there is no middle class and lower class prosperity in the United States.