White House levy to protect US makers from cheap imports likely to inflame trade tensions

White House levy to protect US makers from cheap imports likely to inflame trade tensions

The US president, Joe Biden, has announced a 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles as part of a package of measures designed to protect US manufacturers from cheap imports.

In a move that is likely to inflame trade tensions between the world’s two biggest economies, the White House said it was imposing more stringent curbs on Chinese goods worth $18bn.

Sources said the move followed a four-year review and was a preventive measure designed to stop cheap subsidised Chinese goods flooding the US market and stifling the growth of the American green technology sector.

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Despite the risks of retaliation from Beijing, Biden said the increased levies were a proportionate response to China’s overcapacity in the EV sector. Sources said China was producing 30m EVs a year but could sell only 22-23m domestically.

  • assassinatedbyCIA@lemmy.world
    181·
    6 months ago

    I guess Americans will never get cheap electric cars. Make no mistake. US automakers aren’t going to use this tariff to buy time to make competitive cheap electric cars. They’re just going to rest on their laurels and continue to sell large overpriced trucks, SUV and their EV counterparts.

    • JJROKCZ@lemmy.world
      37·
      6 months ago

      That’s what pisses me off here, I just want something affordable to get from a-b work commute, I’m not spending $80k on an electric suv that I only have because I’m forced into work.

      It’s gonna end up with me buying a moped or small motorcycle to get to work at reasonable cost

      • graymess@lemmy.world
        5·
        6 months ago

        It’s gonna end up with me buying a moped or small motorcycle to get to work at reasonable cost

        Actually glad to hear that. That’s one positive outcome from this aggressive nationalist bullshit decision from Biden. Electric cars (even cheaper, smaller ones from China) aren’t an appropriate way to address climate change. Converting car drivers to two wheelers is way more of a positive move and will also have major benefits to traffic and pedestrian safety. Way better than buying a big fucking American electric pickup truck or SUV.

        • nexas_XIII@lemm.ee
          11·
          6 months ago

          You’re kinda skipping over a few things as well as something the previous comment mentioned.

          1. Weather. I live in a pretty big metro area that has freezing cold winters and sweltering hot summers (with high humidity).
          2. Cargo space is definitely something to think about. There are a lot of families that have to drive to a store for a family’s amount of food for the week
          3. Long distances to get to anything in the suburbs amplifies issues 1 and 2 (including usually no pubic transportation to help)
          4. The previous commenter mentioned they don’t want a giant SUV and just want an affordable electric car.

          All these things are a reason cars are a huge necessity in most of the US. Yes, getting to an area where we can all mostly use 2 wheels would be great, but we should recognize that doing better is a great step forward instead of shooting it down because it’s not perfect.

          I say all this as a person who works from home so I don’t have to worry about a commute, has a small car for necessary trips, and does my best avoid unnecessary driving and makes sure to carpool at every opportunity.

      • Tiefling IRL
        2·
        6 months ago

        I’m thinking of getting a smart car for city driving since I often have to haul gear from one borough to another, but REALLY don’t want a traditional car, much less an SUV. They seem so much easier to find parking for

        • JJROKCZ@lemmy.world
          1·
          6 months ago

          If you’re talking about the smart brand car i wouldn’t, they’ve been discontinued in the US so maintenance on them is going to be difficult and expensive.

          If you’re American that is, assuming you’re a New Yorker based on usage of borough lol

          • Tiefling IRL
            1·
            6 months ago

            Are there any other cars that small? The only reason I’m considering in the first place is because of its size. I really fucking hate traditional cars otherwise. I also see them all over the city.

            • JJROKCZ@lemmy.world
              1·
              6 months ago

              Not that are sold in the US and import/conversion prices are insane. Unfortunately most of our countrymen love massive vehicles so that’s what is sold here, plus the car companies lobbied to have emissions testing be more lenient for massive vehicles

    • JustARaccoon@lemmy.world
      23·
      6 months ago

      Yeah, cause now the cheap competitor they could compare to just got pricier so that means they can also raise prices

      • assassinatedbyCIA@lemmy.world
        2·
        6 months ago

        I said that US automakers don’t want any Americans buying cheap EVs. They’ll happily sell you an EV just be ready to pay mid-high five to low six figures for it. No way in hell do they want to make 20k EVs.