Update: China rejected US-made sardines infected with disease.
In the latest spat over "problematic" Chinese exports, Mattel, Inc. (NYSE:MAT) apologized for its lead-tainted, small-parts products, whereby China immediately seized on the opportunity to clear its name and reiterate that Chinese products, on average, are safe. Then on Friday, without losing momentum, Chinese officials banned a shipment of US soybeans from entering the ports of Guangdong because it was infected with "live khapra beetles."
For those of you taking score at home, this isn't the first time China's quality control agents have declined foodstuff from America: China had previously rejected shipments of US pork kidneys and Canadian spare ribs because growth agents were found in them. Here's a random thought: growth agents - didn't the Americans have something to say recently about illegal steroid powder exported by Chinese factories? The cycle of blame never ends.
Perhaps it's time both countries learn from the China-Mattel relationship: the firms who created the whole mess/scandal should accept responsibility, and the state should distant itself from such firms, adding reassuring comments as required. Some say it's not right that China should capitalize on other's apology when in fact the Chinese quality system is at fault, but at least that's a viable method of resolving the international crisis, no?
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