Donald Trump dons 'Made in China' suits, ties

Washington, Mar 14: Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump dons made-in-China shirts and ties, the US media reported on the controversial real estate tycoon who has blamed the Communist country and India for taking away American jobs.

Trump's signature line of men's suits, dress shirts and ties are made in China and the bulk of his eldest daughter Ivanka Trump's fashion line is also manufactured overseas.

Harvard professor and trade expert Robert Lawrence told CNN that it's not just Trump's products but over 800 items in the Ivanka's fashion line, including shoes, dresses, purses and scarves were also all "imported."

"In a recent debate Marco Rubio mentioned ties. But the ties made in China are just the tip of the iceberg," said Lawrence, who served on President Bill Clinton's Council of Economic Advisers.

He said none of Ivanka's clothing line appears to be made exclusively in the US and 354 items are listed as made in China.

It's very hard to have apparel made in this (US) country: Donald Trump

"I talk about my ties in speeches. I'm open. I say my ties many times are made in China. It's very hard to have apparel made in this country," Trump, 69, had told the US network in an interview earlier.

The issue is getting renewed scrutiny as Trump wants to put a tax on Chinese and Mexican goods like clothing coming into the US to level the playing field and bring back middle class jobs. He said the tax could be as high as 35 or 45 per cent.

Economists warn this would ignite a trade war and could cause a recession.

Trump has repeatedly blamed China and India among other countries for taking away jobs from Americans and vowed to bring them back if elected as the US President.

"They are taking our jobs. China is taking our jobs. Japan is taking our jobs. India is taking our jobs. It is not going to happen anymore, folks!" Trump told his supporters last month.

The top five countries that America imports clothing from are China, India, Vietnam, Pakistan and Mexico.

PTI