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Transcript/ScriptFOR USAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: US Supply Chain Disruption (TV)
HEADLINE: Global Supply Chain Disruption Forces American Consumers to go Without TEASER: COVID-19 blamed for production delays in China as container ships clog ports
PUBLISHED AT: 10/20/2021: 6:45 p.m.
BYLINE: Carolyn Presutti
DATELINE: Arlington, VA
VIDEOGRAPHER: Adam Greenbaum/Mike OâSullivan
VIDEO EDITOR: Adam Greenbaum
SCRIPT EDITORS: BR, MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, News Agency
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 2:50
VID APPROVED BY: Sue Jepsen
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
[[China is the center of manufacturing for the world. So, when COVID-19 hit, manufacturing was disrupted. Producing delays gave way to shipping delays. Now itâs difficult -- and sometimes impossible to get certain items. VOAâs Carolyn Presutti takes a look at what is missing.]]
((NATS â âBacon Cheeseburger!â))
((NARRATOR))
Lunch is on at The Green Pig Bistro. It could shape up to be the busiest Saturday in the Virginia restaurantâs 10-year history. Customers are back.
((NATS â Tracy closing oven door))
But beyond the dishes, other things are missing for head Chef Tracy OâGrady. An induction burner.
((NATS â Tracy: âWeâve been waiting for the part for two and a half months.â))
((NARRATOR))
And four months for a wine cooler.
((Tracy OâGrady, Green Pig Bistro Head Chef))
âIt could be on a boat, could be still in the factory, it could be in the port, it could be on a semi.â
((NATS â Container ship horn))
((NARRATOR))
COVID-19 has created a major delay in products from China. Also, bottlenecks at American ports have forced dozens of container ships to sit offshore.
With no workers to unload and no available warehouse space, there is no path to get products to consumers.
((NATS â People walking))
((NARRATOR))
It seems most Americans are waiting for something.
((Lisa Pfenninger, Condominium Owner))
âOur building has an HVAC system that needs repair, and we've been waiting two weeks for the parts, and they're still not here. Same thing with the hot tub at the rooftop of the building.â
((NARRATOR))
These Moms worry about Christmas gifts.
((Lisa Hare, Mother of Gamer))
âI've been trying to get the PS-5 for over a year. And there are blogs that list where you can find it and they like come up and say, âit's availableâ and by the time you go to the site they're all gone.â
((NARRATOR))
Add to that -- bicycles, cars, sneakers ⦠and⦠electronics.
((NATS â James: âScreens, tablets, computers))
James Sampson owns a chain of Wireless Rxx stores in the Washington, D.C. area. Almost all his components are shipped from China. What used to take three to five days now takes up to eight weeks.
((James Sampson, Wireless Rxx Owner/CEO ))
âIt's affecting our end customer. It's affecting the pricing that we have to give to customers because shipping prices are going up, and it's affecting the time that we can actually complete repairs.â
((NARRATOR))
As a small business owner, Sampson says he canât compete with huge national chains that are now contracting their own container ships.
((James Sampson, Wireless Rxx Owner/CEO ))
âIt's going to have some long-term effects without a doubt.â
((NATS â President Biden: âGood afternoon, everyoneâ))
((NARRATOR))
President Joe Biden says California ports have agreed to operate around the clock, including weekends to clear out the logjam. Beyond that, he says the U.S. needs to invest in the U.S.
((President Joe Biden))
âNever again should our country and our economy be unable to make critical products we need because we donât have access to materials to make that product.â
((NATS â Restaurant))
((NARRATOR))
Chef OâGrady agrees. But for now, she has to rely on the global economy.
((Tracy OâGrady, Green Pig Bistro Head Chef))
âIâm not certain it affects our bottom line, but it certainly affects our stress, and it takes me away from things that I really need to be doing.â
((NARRATOR))
Like whipping up dishes, not chasing down missing equipment.
((NATS â Restaurant))
((Carolyn Presutti, VOA News, Arlington, Virginia))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
