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.

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.

  • ShepherdPie@midwest.social
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    6 months ago

    Nobody wants to listen to reason or actually think any of this through they just want their artificially cheap products. The same people who claim to support unions and raising wages for average workers are now arguing against both because they might be able to get one new car out of the deal before all the competition crumbles and we’re back to high prices and beholden to China for all our automotive needs. It’s ridiculous to have to keep reading this hypocrisy over and over again.

    Apparently used vehicles are so 2020 and we should scrap all 220 million of them and build brand new ones because that’s what’s good for the environment.

    • credo@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      It’s the same as the arguments for cheap big macs. Fair! Until it’s more expensive for me…

      People are clowns.

        • nondescripthandle@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          6 months ago

          The point is you’re also enjoying artificially cheap shit. The only difference is do you want artificially cheap oil or artificially cheap EVs. I know what choice Id make.

          • ShepherdPie@midwest.social
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            6 months ago

            No the difference is that we’re subsidizing our oil in our own market. It’d only be comparable if we were trying to sell our oil to some other country at a cost well below the competition.

    • Viking_Hippie@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      they just want their artificially cheap products

      Because that’s all they can AFFORD due to gigantic corporations colluding to make housing, food, healthcare, medicine, and yes, cars artificially expensive.

      You’re acting like poverty is an irresponsible choice by the consumers rather than the inevitable effect of extreme corporate profiteering allowed because the politicians are receiving bribes.

      And yes, the president formerly known as The Senator from MBNA is very much one of those corrupt politicians.

      The same people who claim to support unions and raising wages for average workers are now arguing against both

      [Citation needed]

      the competition crumbles and we’re back to high prices

      That’s exactly what this ridiculously high tariff does: it removes competition so that American carmakers won’t have to lower their ridiculously high prices.

      beholden to China for all our automotive needs

      Yeah, because being beholden to the notoriously corrupt and abusive big US automakers and paying more for the privilege is MUCH better! 🙄

      it’s ridiculous to have to keep reading this hypocrisy over and over again.

      Is what I think every time party robots such as yourself who rightly castigated Trump for his harmful trade war with China but are now cheering on Biden doing the same with many of the same justifications.

      Apparently used vehicles are so 2020 and we should scrap all 220 million of them and build brand new ones because that’s what’s good for the environment.

      Burning Man called. They want their colossal strawman back.

      • ShepherdPie@midwest.social
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        6 months ago

        Because that’s all they can AFFORD due to gigantic corporations colluding to make housing, food, healthcare, medicine, and yes, cars

        What people are being forced to buy expensive new cars? I make decent money and always buy used because it’s a much better value.

        You’re acting like poverty is an irresponsible choice by the consumers rather than the inevitable effect of extreme corporate profiteering allowed because the politicians are receiving bribes.

        I’ve done nothing of the sort. You’re advocating for a bunch of US manufacturing workers to get laid off because you want to buy a new car for an unreasonably low price.

        [Citation needed]

        Are you joking? This is the entire topic of discussion.

        That’s exactly what this ridiculously high tariff does: it removes competition so that American carmakers won’t have to lower their ridiculously high prices.

        How does this remove competition? What it removes is the effects of unsustainable subsidies that artificially reduce the price of these cars. They’re free to compete with the rest of the industry on a level playing field.

        Yeah, because being beholden to the notoriously corrupt and abusive big US automakers and paying more for the privilege is MUCH better! 🙄

        In what way are we beholden to US automakers (Ford, GM, and Tesla)? What a ridiculous statement. Have you never been car shopping before? There’s a lot more brands for sale here than those three.

        Is what I think every time party robots such as yourself who rightly castigated Trump for his harmful trade war with China but are now cheering on Biden doing the same with many of the same justifications.

        So this is about party politics now? I think Biden and Trump are both pieces of shit. You can dig through my comment history if you don’t believe me.

        Burning Man called. They want their colossal strawman back.

        You must not have read through the comments here. Half of them are saying we’re all doomed if we can’t get our hands on these cheap new cars.