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US Condom Maker in Peril as Feds Buy Chinese

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 23, 2009 5:25 PM CDT

(Newser) – The sole supplier of condoms to Washington's overseas AIDS campaign is likely going out of business thanks to Asian competition, the Kansas City Star reports. The feds are close to signing contracts with companies in South Korea and China, which charge 2 cents per condom; Alabama-based Alatech charges five. Three hundred American jobs hang in the balance.

Alatech claims USAID implied it would continue to buy American. But a recent appropriations bill did not include a “Buy American” clause, and the agency conducted its business through a middleman, protecting the government from a bid protest. Alatech protested anyway, and is considering a lawsuit. What's more, Chinese condoms are “notoriously suspect,” one consultant said.

USAID supplies.
USAID supplies.   (AP Photo)
A volunteer compares the quality of different brands of condoms in China.
A volunteer compares the quality of different brands of condoms in China.   (AP Photo)
A sex shop/convenience store stands close to a construction site in Beijing.
A sex shop/convenience store stands close to a construction site in Beijing.   (AP Photo)
A vibrator, center left, and other sex aids are seen between chewing gum and food snacks in a vending machine on a street in Tianjin, in north China.
A vibrator, center left, and other sex aids are seen between chewing gum and food snacks in a vending machine on a street in Tianjin, in north China.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
northeast
Mar 24, 2009 12:06 PM CDT
Now would probably not be the time to make a joke about the comparative penis sizes of Chinese people vs. Africans.
northeast
Mar 24, 2009 12:06 PM CDT
I'm just saying that none of their condoms will fit lol
Nwambe
Mar 24, 2009 11:44 AM CDT
Penis size doesn't matter. Need proof? There's a billion and a half Chinese. :P

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