> The U.S. contribution, however well compensated, seems like the most inessential part of this setup. The global economy is a fair-weather economy. If there is

> The U.S. contribution, however well compensated, seems like the most inessential part of this setup. The global economy is a fair-weather economy. If there is a slight rise in tariffs, a subtle judicial reinterpretation of regulation, a tiny change of attitude — in short, if there is any exercise of what we think of as normal democracy anywhere along the supply chain — the model that links companies like Hilfiger and Li & Fung to producers will fall apart. Should that happen, which is more likely? That Asian manufacturing powerhouses will learn to market their own products, or that Western P.R. spivs and window-treatment consultants and professional espresso-tasters will learn to rebuild an industrial base from scratch? This is well put and funny, but there are other options. It seems in fact more likely that Western designers would find other suppliers, than manufacturers would be able to market and sell directly to consumers. Good design needs proximity - cultural, geographical proximity - with the end user.