It makes it hard to compete when you have to have cleaner emissions.  I am all for making manufacturing and industry as clean as possible within reason, but a balance must be had between cost and clean.  I was actually thinking about this the other day.  If we required all imported goods to be manufactured at or better than our standards, it would put on shore manufacturing at a more level playing field.  Obviously they will probably lie and cheat so there would need to be some sort of responsibility for the import company to make sure they are compliant.  If a manufacture meets its country standards but not our import standards than we could (and I hate this word and concept) charge them carbon credits on the items.  It puts our manufacturing on a more competitive stance.... but would also make everything more expensive.