Don't blame the Chinese suppliers - the fault lies with the likes of Mattel whose sole purpose in existing is to make an ever increasing profit for the shareholders.

Paul K, Thornton Cleveleys,

it is a sad news for both the consumers worldwide and for China brand as well. however, I just wonder before putting these toys onto the shelf, have companies like Mattel checked the products quality? China currently is still a developing country, which means it might not have a advance quality control system. But USA does. Then why it is not until now 2007 then Mattel begins to recall its products manufactured from 2002 to 2007? Furthermore, most of Mattel toys are made in China but they are also produced elsewhere. Is it fair to single out China?

Achinese, Manchester, UK

I am sick and tired of North American companies bring in poor quality low cost goods from under developed countries including China. Lets make the products in our own country and put our own people to work. Are you out of work yet? keep buying and manufacturing in foreign countries.

Larry Thibert, Belle River, Ontario, Canada

Why do you label 'the workshop of the world,' what actually is the slave camp of the world?

Maynard, Oxford, UK

My company has its parts manufactured in China and this path is one which can go in many directions, the main ones being -no controls on safety, quality or ethical standards of manufacture are demanded by the Western partner. Low prices are the main priority, leading to sub-standard goods, sweatshop labour and damage to the environment. -high standards enforced, often by installing representatives of the Western parent company into the factory in China itself. This allows for strict monitoring of quality standards, resource sourcing and use, workforce and workplace policies, etc. The result is Western-standard products, marginally more expensive but made in a system which is acceptable to both the Chinese and the West.

Chris, Weymouth, Dorset

If you remember the early Walmart ads which showed a big semi rolling down the road with Made in USA on the side, you have to wonder whatever happened to this country.

Harold, Phoenix, AZ

I think we should manufacture our own American made products. What happened to Made in U.S. A. We used to be proud of our products. Now we only think about making cheap inexpensive junk!!!!!!!!!!
Proud to be an American!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Katherine , Sunnyvale, CA.

This shows so clearly that there is no such thing as a 'cheap' product.

There is a price for everythning, all that must be decided is Who, What, When, How, pays it.

Its a terrible price for a man to hang himself (if he wasn't actually murdered) for the sake of throw away toys.

And the price of these toys is much more than that: swallowing up of earth's finite resources, poisoning of the chinese environment and the seas which carry the goods world wide, slave conditions for those who make them, land-fill for those who so quickly grow bored of them.....

My heart truly aches.

helen, orwich,

This was inevitable. Money moves to where it's most efficient. And in the short term China/India..is very efficient to spend money in. Long term, standards and education will rise (try to find cheap housing or english speaking labor in Bangalore anymore) and costs will rise as well, and begin to dilute the idea of large cash savings, and turn it more into a more globally efficient distribution model with labor/manuf cost no longer a key factor.

IMHO, Brand China will sink or swim during the Olympics next year, people might be watching athletes passing out from the air pollution, or leaving ill before the end of their games.

Jeff Mohler, boulder creek, CA

As much as we like to blame China for everything right now, a large part of the blame should also be placed on US companies for not monitoring the quality and safety of their products. Takes two to tango and the blame should be shared equally.

Teresa, Olathe, USA