US Chopsticks exported to China

A US company based in Georgia is manufacturing chopsticks and exporting them to China.  Georgia Chopsticks is producing around two million sets of wooden chopsticks each day and is operating around the clock to keep up with demand. Each set of chopsticks is proudly labelled “Made in the USA”

It would appear that China has a shortage of wood suitable to make the Asian eating utensils, and Georgian Gum Trees, which are abundant in the US southern state, make an excellent raw material as they do not require a harsh chemical bleaching treatment.

When Jae Lee (a Korean American) started the business, banks refused to lend him money because they saw his business model as a crazy idea, and who could blame them? However Mr Lee seems to be holding his own and making his own contribution to redressing the US/China trade gap.