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.

    • Kecessa@sh.itjust.works
      5518·
      10 months ago

      The reason why you’re saving on Chinese cars is because of huge government subsidies on their side, so they don’t play by the rules of the free market either.

      • njm1314@lemmy.world
        251·
        10 months ago

        Nobody has ever played by the rules of the free market. It’s been a scam from day one.

      • Einstein@sh.itjust.works
        223·
        10 months ago

        I mean, Our government could do the same thing to keep costs low and competitive instead of just making them more expensive for everyone.

        • Kecessa@sh.itjust.works
          413·
          10 months ago

          So? I never said the USA plays by the rules, I even used the word “either” in my previous reply.

          • Hugh_Jeggs@lemm.ee
            111·
            10 months ago

            I think what they’re saying is that both countries are subsidising the industries.

            Chinese companies are thinking ahead and using the subsidies to sell more vehicles

            American companies are, surprise-sur-fucking-surprise, stealing the subsidies to make a few billionaires richer

      • buzz86us@lemmy.world
        13·
        10 months ago

        The reason you’re saving on the running costs of a gas car is because of huge government subsidies on the fossil fuel industry.

      • guacupado@lemmy.world
        101·
        10 months ago

        It’s funny how everyone tries to make China subsidizing cars for its population a bad thing. The US should bet taking note. Taxes should be used to help the population, not the people in charge of the population.

      • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
        4·
        10 months ago

        huge government subsidies on their side

        China’s public education, public health care, public housing, and public mass transit: Evil Subsidies

        America’s $7500 tax credit: Sensible free market EV incentive

    • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
      105·
      10 months ago

      GM and Ford manufacture in China. It doesn’t affect American designed and Chinese produced vehicles, only companies that are based in China.

      • credo@lemmy.world
        164·
        10 months ago

        These “free market” arguments keep missing the key detail. Reading is hard.

        subsidised Chinese goods

        I don’t remember China subsidizing American products and then shipping them back to us.

        • disguy_ovahea@lemmy.world
          24·
          10 months ago

          One funnels money into American business, the other into the Chinese government. It’s not some secret plan. It’s clearly declared.

    • reddig33@lemmy.world
      44·
      10 months ago

      Apple has been getting the hell out of building things in China — if you hadn’t noticed.