Will Biden Undermine His Own Climate Goals with New Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles?

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We speak with The New Republic's Kate Aronoff about how President Biden has unveiled steep tariff increases on various Chinese imports, including electric vehicles, which will quadruple from the current tariff rate of 25% to 100%. “What you see … is Biden really looking to lean into a really quite hawkish position on China,” says Aronoff. She explains why Biden is caught between insulating the American auto industry from competition and allowing affordable EVs to enter U.S. markets for climate goals. Aronoff says experts say Biden should work with China on this industry and “to not see this as zero-sum competition. We need to build a lot of clean technology. This is a very large pie, and there's no reason why the United States cannot also have a piece of it.”
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[@lalodaniels1388]

I would rather have a $10,000 electric car that I can charge at my house with my solar panels for free, rather than triple for a gas car that costs me $125 per week to fuel. I don't care if the shareholders of Ford, GM, Toyota, Mazda, and Dodge lose a little equity before they cash out.

[@cinephemera]

Hard to take seriously any headline that uses the terms "Biden" and "climate goals" in the same sentence.

[@flixfan1]

Biden has gotten more money for renewable energy than anyone in human history. Once you "progressives" get Trump elected, you can kiss the environment goodbye.

[@DanA-nl5uo]

We tried tariffs in the solar PV sector for over a decade and all it has done is slow down solar in the usa and cost Americans more for the solar they installed. There is still no manufacturing in the usa. So we know tariffs don't work

[@menudobucket9837]

Protection for the big three, but none for the pocketbooks of consumers.. 😡

[@ggttuuxx]

It also benefits the Politicians employing a hatred-centric playbook. Some Americans think we "won" something against another country we love to Smear and Hate. It sure beats actually fixing our problems -- so much easier to get votes than doing meaningful work.

[@neverletmego6414]

The problem is not that Chinese EVs and solar panels are too cheap. The problem is that American EVs and solar panels are overpriced. Artificially making your business competitor's prices high will only make American manufacturers complacent, rather than innovate to reduce cost and prices.

[@RobertJones-pm3zk]

Yep, look at Harley Davidson

[@TheJanooby]

Also that evs are horrible for the environment, as just creating one creates more pollution than a diesel trucks lifespan produces. They only go for maybe 200 miles before you need to charge them for a whole day, and they are piss ugly

[@ggttuuxx]

​@@TheJanoobyThat's what the American Politicians want you to believe. A year ago they were touting EVs, read GM's press releases from last year; this year they've given up, so they suddenly start smearing EVs. Worst than the cigarette industry. Brain-wash you.

[@archstanton5973]

Yup. MURCA! is doing a de facto "import substitution". Example of "import substitution": india banned foreign automobiles and only allowed "made in india" automobiles. The end result that indians would have to wait years for a VERY shoddy made in india automobile where if customers complained about doors that fell off of their new cars they were told "take it or leave it".

[@hybridPeople358]

What about 100% funds for public schools.

[@victorchew151]

CHINA PLEASE don't dump your OVERCAPACITY to the US. We don't mind if China can dump it to our countries in South East Asia. We don't mind.😂😂😂

[@julianselvaraj6107]

I thought over capacity is what we need to curb inflation.

[@MargaretCho-pt3ng]

I'd like a $10k EV. Fk the big three.

[@francozheng5617]

US punish its people for buying China EV by forcing them to pay another 100% of that original price.😂😂😂

[@PapiElric]

Thank you from a french citizen.

[@pietrosigismondodelvalenti6371]

Thank you for discussing this topic from a broad perspective. It's hard to find real discussions. Acknowledged the situation and their position. Recognized the small scope of this topic and connected it to a larger problem that all developing nations have. Stated the importance of keeping discussions open and honest. Didn't need to mention China's quality control issues.

[@TAL142]

Obama imposed 250% tariff on China solar panel in 2012. Most of US solar panel companies went bankrupted because businesses just import from other countries. And most of them still need China supply chain. And US solar panel companies are likely not competitive regardless. The cost will be so expensive that people may decide not to switch. China is the biggest car market and consumer market. So some car companies will be eliminated but China EV industry will not go away.

[@vorsichtig1235]

Tariff simply won't work. What China did is that they have dedicated investment funds that invested in certain companies like solar panel manufacturers, and order lots of their products from either government or nationalized companies. Those government-affiliated buyers will using these orders as bargain tool to force companies to raise the quality/lower the cost of their products. Current US government can't do all the above, and Wall Street will not let them do. Importing Chinese green energy product is just a compromise, but ultimately US need to develop their own green energy industry.

[@patriot4095]

We don’t need to be paying chinas share. They are not a poor nation.

[@craigbrowning9448]

Malarkey from the Oligarchy!

[@ggttuuxx]

Remember, Tesla was losing money with each car, before they opened the Giga Factory in Shanghai. Guess who benefited from cooperation and Chinese battery technology? Yes, that's right, Tesla, Musk, EV buyers in America and all over the World, Chinese battery makers, future EV makers. Pretty much everyone. But who's trying to cover that up? As usual, the US Politicians.

[@Owl350]

I'm sure he shouldn't get away with this ! Changing fuel at this time in history is extremely important !

[@ronkirk5099]

If they (the big three) build them (an affordable EV

[@AlessandroZir]

thank you, very good discussion!!

[@terencetong4896]

We are not politician play thing. Wr are actual people

[@samhill618]

It depends. If they can get Chinese makers to produce vehicles locally, it could be a net gain by lowering emissions on shipping the vehicles

[@DanA-nl5uo]

The Chinese have all the market they need with Australia and Europe. All this will do is insure Americans buy a $35,000 tesla because they cannot buy a $10,000 BYD like Europeans and Australians. Biden said as much in 2019 about Trump's tariffs. The impact is the same regardless of which party passes the same policy

[@domokun845]

Why would they when there's no profit. They'd have to import the raw materials at cost. Invest in factories, bypass more Red scare politicians with the goal of employing overpaid unionized labor. The end result being more expensive cars with zero margins. Also, they can just make it in Mexico for the same effect. You'd need to get rid of nafta.

[@talast2000]

Lol, don't kid yourself. They will never let that happen. "National security" will take care of everything. The big 3 as well as the Koreans and the Japanese auto companies will make sure the politicians will never let the Chinese in.

[@bobdoe38]

They ship using LNG cargo ships, 7000 at a time. The emissions from that is minimal.

[@neverletmego6414]

There's no way the US government is going to allow a Chinese carmakers set up a factory in the US. Just look at what they did to Tiktok. They're going to say these cars and factories are a 'national security risk' and force a sale/ban

[@jocelynevkb5889]

China approached it smartly by firstly improving the Lithium battery technology, then putting it to use in affordable electric cars. By contrast, Tesla went for the high-end market, working on looks rather than developing powerful batteries. Tesla needs US Gov subsidies and US sanctions on China to remain competitive. A similar story for German car brands. It's US & EU consumers & the environment which will suffer from the imposed sanctions, not the Chinese economy, part of BRICS to boot!

[@ggttuuxx]

Remember, Tesla was losing money with each car, before they opened the Giga Factory in Shanghai. Guess who benefited from cooperation and Chinese battery technology? Yes, that's right, Tesla, Musk, EV buyers in America and all over the World, Chinese battery makers, future EV makers. Pretty much everyone.

[@nmonster]

Last time I checked you can get a used low miileage all electric Chevy Bolt for less than $20,000 (and buying used is better than buying new in terms of carbon footprint) so I don't know what all the bellyaching is about.

[@SeanPan-it3jm]

We can't even produce import substitute now. That is the real problem.

[@JohnHunterPlayerr]

Lol. No. He doesnt have a second term coming.

[@PauloAdriano-zo2ng]

Hopefully, *Mamala Laughing Gas* doesn't have a chance.

[@flixfan1]

Progressives will make sure of that. I'm sure the fascists of the GOP appreciate it.

[@FM-ln2sb]

@@flixfan1 Well the DNC liberals don't mind the fascists of the DNC , including Biden.

[@flixfan1]

@@FM-ln2sb Vs the guy who is literally promising to end all environmental regulations if the oil industry gives him a billion dollars for his campaign? You people are sick in the end.

[@Videomorgue]

​@flixfan1 You'd think Biden would take that risk more seriously if he cared.

[@markschuette3770]

we do need to slow and then stop all subsidies for Pollution! including CO2. but any type of vehical with a motor (even elec.) IS pollutive. only then will people make the right choices for sustainability. we also need to tax the wealth since they got wealthy from exploiting the publics natural resources.

[@selinaahmed6119]

Not genocide in Gaza. What is the definition of genocide?

[@rogerhull5632]

Yes. Hopefully, US corporations can catch up soon, instead of overpaying executives and shareholders.

[@jasonvan3887]

Who cares I'm getting 3% increase regardless, plus bonus. Call Kinsley they'll assess how many must be laid off to make it happen 😏... innovation 😂

[@russshaber8071]

Ain't it funny how people will complain about too much stuff coming from China, and then complain about paying too much for American made goods.

[@samhill618]

Of course it’s also likely that a one technology solution isn’t the best, rather we should probably do a variety of things to ensure a future. This may include electric vehicles, hydrogen, hybrids and so on, while working on other aspects of industry and capitalism that often cause more impact. We also focus solely on the products while ignoring the impact product graveyards have. Much of this (could be) addressed by planning and designing for reusability as well as diversity, but in our current capitalism, the main focus is to make the corporate class rich.

[@SeanPan-it3jm]

Withdraw troops from abroad and send them into factories to PRODUCE.

[@ZhenYae]

Just call it racism.

[@j.shaikh1961]

Ben Gvir at his worst below

[@bobbydennis8333]

Is the US dollar worth anything? Updated: “Been that way for 30 years.” - U.S. Justice Department on the lack of Human Rights in Oklahoma County Jail, 2020 “Makes me feel human again after this place.” - Oklahoma City Art Museum review after life in the local shelters (20+ years in the making), 2024 “It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” - Nelson Mandela 🥂🥂

[@madreemee]

she is confusing ??????

[@conniefoss9382]

Why hasnt the USA built affordable electric cars??? This policy is absolutely hypocritical

[@joeg9112]

Affordable electric cars.....you aren't asking for much are a you.

[@richardgillette5759]

Democracy Now social credit score is going up

[@PhiloSurfer]

You didn't get the memo from your handler? There is no such credit score that you are thinking of.

[@russshaber8071]

From all accounts these cheap Chinese EVs are junk. They're like the Yugo, only less reliable. Europe is blocking their sales based on safety and reliability issues.

[@ZhenYae]

OK.... You must be American... Mouthpiece .

[@cev12]

Glad to see an extra video on the climate crisis/environment.

[@AHMADSAEED-rx5bp]

Free Jammu and Kashmir insh Allah Jammu and Kashmir issue exists on the charter of UNO today also along with numerous UN resolutions

[@growingmelancholy8374]

Well, the bigger issue here is that electric vehicles in general are not the answer to address climate change.

[@SeanPan-it3jm]

Unexplainable, I'm afraid!

[@jamesremey2017]

Vote Biden out

[@radioactiveag2531]

How about you say VOTE GREEN PARTY.

[@facingfacts7830]

uh...

[@-allah1akbar]

I am your sister from Yemen, and by Allah I only spoke out of hunger and distress. My mother, my brothers, and I lessons and tears. We are in a situation that only God knows about. God is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs for those who brought us to this situation. By Allah Almighty, I did not write this appeal out of distress and distress. Poverty, O world, they have felt it So, I hope for you. By Allah Almighty, Lord of the Great Throne, he ate what I had in the house. By Allah, my brothers, he is my brothers by sitting in the house. Who has no food? By God, we are in a very difficult situation. We have 4 people entering the house, and my father has died, and there is no one who can depend on us and who lives in it.We live in a rented house because we cannot pay the rent we owe. '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' ''''''''''''' My brother, my first words are: I swear to God that I will not lie to you or deceive you. I am a Yemeni girl displaced from the war. My family and I live in a rented house in Al-Shahrab 20,000 Yemenis among us, and now we owe 60,000 for 3 months. The owner of the house is one of the people who does not have mercy, by God, my brother. He comes every day, insulting us, talking about us, and moving from the house to the street because we were unable to pay him the rent. The neighbors saw us crying and came back.They came back to talk to the neighbors and we were given the weekend. So we made him swear by God. He will take us out into the street. Have mercy on him and us. Our country is due to this war and we do not find food for our day, and my brothers and I live in a difficult life. Our father died, may God have mercy on him, and we have no one in this world who was with us in these harsh circumstances. My younger brothers went out into the street and saw...The neighbors eat and stand at their door in order to give them bread even if they break it. By God, to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, they closed the door and expelled them and came back crying. They are dying of hunger. No one has mercy on them and a holiday is returned. I have made a living, and now if one of us helps us with a kilo of flour, I swear to God, I am dying of hunger. My brother, I am an alien to God. Then, I ask you to help me for the sake of God. I ask you, by God, to love goodness and to help me, even if you can, by messaging me on WhatsApp.On this number 00967716649494 and ask for the name of my card and send it and do not be late and may God reward you with all the best, my brothers Sagar, see how they are and help us and save us before they throw us out in the street, you will be lost or we will die of hunger. My family and I ask you, by God, if you are able to help us, do not be late and may God reward you well..`/--~«««~~♡~♡~♡~~•~•~♡~♡~~♡~♡~♡~♡♡♡~~~~: ~:~¡~¡~¡~;I.i.i.i.i.i. i.I.|-◖︻︻/-/'،/-/'،/-/'،/-/'،/-/'،/-/'،/-🎉

[@JohnHunterPlayerr]

At this point I think you are just a hasbara spam account trying to steal money away from people who would in fact want to help. Reported

[@dimimegesis]

lithium-ion batteries are not clean technology. i distrust EVs.

[@yulusleonard985]

Try lithium fero phospate, no cobalt 3x longer

[@SeanPan-it3jm]

Potus Harris now.

[@johnhale9697]

A DANGEROUS DELUSIONAL STUPID THOUGHT

[@GhJa-jy3dj]

Investing in the security and well-being of nations like Ukraine and Israel, and extending support to the Iranian people like smart sanctions on Oil exports of Islamic Republic but letting Iranians make money online through services, is crucial because our populations share a common wealth of talents, technologies, and values that foster economic growth, human rights, and fundamental freedoms. This understanding is lost on extremist ideologies like fascism, Marxism, and jihadism, which often rely on zero-sum thinking. For evidence, consider the arguments presented in 'Enlightenment Now' by Steven Pinker. Those who disagree are invited to engage in a constructive debate at Atheist Republic, where we can explore the merits of liberal values and the flaws in authoritarian models. Embracing liberalism allows for mutually beneficial outcomes, whereas extremist ideologies often require someone to lose in order for them to gain.

[@xappuxok]

Can she express her ideas without equivocating?

[@ernestoybarra7333]

United States Deputy Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood and others stood at the U.N. Security Council for a minute to honor lranian President and terrorist Raisi.

[@bobbydennis8333]

Is the US dollar worth anything? Updated: “Been that way for 30 years.” - U.S. Justice Department on the lack of Human Rights in Oklahoma County Jail, 2020 “Makes me feel human again after this place.” - Oklahoma City Art Museum review after life in the local shelters (20+ years in the making), 2024 “It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” - Nelson Mandela 🥂🥂

[@ernestoybarra7333]

@@bobbydennis8333 WoW Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela? America should have never incarcerated your pal, Chas Manson? And Charlie should have been given a couple broads? How about giving your pals in prison a bong for a little opiate action to stop their heart?

[@ernestoybarra7333]

@@bobbydennis8333 WoW Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela? Maybe we should of given Chas Manson a couple of broads too? A bong for the convicts so they can do a mixture of opiates to stop their hearts! Time for you to move to Mexico as an illegal alien 🇲🇽 viva!!! 😲

[@Skrooby13]

I would agree with the tariff's. Chinese Evs are dangerous. there has been numerous accidents where airbags did not deploy. Keep these death traps off the road.

[@billinsf88]

Love to know what reference you are citing for your opinion, I believe you are simply coping 😂

[@Skrooby13]

@@billinsf88Certainly! many youtubers Serpentza, China Insider, China Uncensored, Beyond the great Firewall. have all done amazing documentaries on the dangers of Chinese EV's. If that is not your thing a simple google will bring many documents and testimony's the CCP tries to hide.

[@Skrooby13]

@@billinsf88 You may also be interested in the The 50 Cent Party! also known as the 50 Cent Army or "wumao" Chinese: 五毛; , Are Internet commentators who are paid by the authorities of the People's Republic of China to spread the propaganda of the governing Chinese Communist Party! It was created during the early phases of the Internet's rollout to the wider public in China.

[@jordrider1917]

Takata has entered the chat.

[@bobdoe38]

Haha 😂

[@reubenhandel210]

Amy seems confused Electric cars are not good for the environment. I don't know how she got tricked into thinking they were.

[@ZhenYae]

How and why. Whatever you are thinking. It is not recurrent.

[@yulusleonard985]

Compared to ice, yes. No need for troops on foreign soil to keep those oil flowing. No need stupid geopolitic games that cause wars and suffering.

[@reubenhandel210]

@@yulusleonard985 A new argument then... Oil...the form of energy most easily transported and found all throughout the world needs wars to keep flowing. Except the opposite is true. All the wars are designed to reduce the free trade of energy. Did Iraq increase oil production? Did Yemen? Did Syria? Did Libya? Did Ukraine? Russia probably did even though we bombed their pipeline. Was that the plan?

[@yulusleonard985]

@@reubenhandel210 Lol Oil found all through the world? US already have troops and engage in anti government in Syria and Libya since 2012. In Iraq since 2003. The reason why you go to war over oil is because its finite. And two countries that strong enough to wage wars beyond their borders are US and Russia, and I can imagine that their citizen can easily be convince that electrification are scam. Gasoline logistic are insane and require government level intervention. You said oil are easy to transport maybe because you live in a country that have means to do that from politic, military and technology. Doing that as individual is impossible.

[@MgWynn]

What is she talking about. She never gets to the point she wanted to. Confusion at best. 😂😂😂

[@rybakmm8877]

Dear Democracy Now, please show us a full three-minute video that Israeli television aired today May 22nd of five pajama-clad female army conscripts being seized by Hamas gunmen during Oct. 7 attack. Let us, your viewers watch and analyze what was really happening on that day. Please show us that video clip!

[@westindianduchess]

Good, those army conscripts are not innocent.

[@Keepthepeacesharethelove]

But first verify it.

[@flixfan1]

@@westindianduchess Army conscripts aren't innocent? Progressives think rape should be used as a weapon of war?

[@radioactiveag2531]

First thing. You dont even know why those families posted that video so stfu.

[@themanwnoname3454]

Updated: 🗞️📰🗞️📰 “Been that way for 30 years.” - U.S. Justice Department on the lack of Human Rights in Oklahoma County Jail, 2020 “Makes me feel human again after this place.” - Oklahoma City Art Museum review after life in the local shelters (20+ years in the making), 2024 “It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.” - Nelson Mandela 🥂🥂

[@johnnyr122]

BI.DAM SAID I CANNOT MAKE A MISTAKE, I AM JOE BI.DAM A GOD AND ALL KNOW GODS LIKE ME CANNOT FORK UP HA HA HA