Off Balance

Over the past 14 years, the U.S. trade deficit with China increased twentyfold to $124 billion in 2003, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Economists believe that figure has grown another 20 percent in 2004.

In Pennsylvania, the trade deficit with China remains unknown since tracking imports specific to the state represents a complicated task. But statistics from the U.S. Department of Commerce show a 110 percent growth in Pennsylvania's manufacturing exports from 1999 through 2003 while total U.S. exports grew less than 1 percent.

China's economic growth has undoubtedly impacted both the United States and Pennsylvania. Depending on who's talking, words des...

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