Why would the #LetsGoBrandon administration look to protect Chinese solar panel companies, which are backed by the Chinese government, allowing them to circumvent U.S. trade laws? Particularly when Brandon has been yammering on about building stuff in America, particularly “green” products
Democrats, Republicans aim to block Biden admin’s action protecting Chinese solar companies
Democratic and Republican lawmakers are working to pass time-sensitive legislation that would roll back a White House rule allowing Chinese solar panel makers to circumvent U.S. trade laws.
In early June, President Biden implemented a 24-month moratorium on the enforcement of solar panel anti-circumvention tariffs introduced under the Obama administration to protect U.S. companies. The White House characterized the move as a two-year “bridge” that would allow companies to build solar panel production capabilities on U.S. soil.
The move came after the Commerce Department said months earlier it would investigate whether Chinese manufacturers were routing solar panels through countries in Southeast Asia to avoid U.S. tariffs. And in December published its preliminary findings which showed four large solar companies had routed products through Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam to circumvent duties.
“Even after the U.S. Department of Commerce determined in an investigation that solar panels imported from Southeast Asian countries were circumventing tariffs on Chinese-made solar components, the Biden Administration continued to put American manufacturers last by keeping in place a two-year tariff exemption for these solar panels,” Rep. Bob Latta, R-Ohio, told Fox News Digital.
Biden seems to be helping every country other than the U.S.
“This decision is penalizing American workers, increasing the United States’ dependency on foreign nations for our energy needs, and harming our domestic solar manufacturing industry,” Latta said. “It will take a concerted, bipartisan effort to reverse this decision to ensure our trade laws are enforced and China faces consequences for undercutting American manufacturing.” (snip)
In January, Latta cosponsored bipartisan legislation introduced by Reps. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., and Bill Posey, R-Fla., that would annul Biden’s executive order and ensure foreign companies that violate U.S. trade law are held accountable. Companion legislation was also introduced in the Senate and is believed to have significant bipartisan support.
If the bill passes, Biden would veto it. Would there be enough votes to override?
Teach
At this time the US can not produce the number of panels needed.
This rule will allow 2 years for American companies to ramp up production.
Biden has pushed trade policies to benefit US companies that are much much stronger than what Trump only promised.
Biden and his coalition of semi conductor countries has prohibited ALL advanced and mid level chips to China and also prohibited all sales of chip making machines to China. Currently 80% of all solar panels come out of China. Hopefully those billion dollar loan guarantees Biden passed will allow US companies to build the factories necessary to fill that need in the next 2years. I am quite sure the solar market in the US. Will still quite strong in 2more years as the electrification/decarbonization continues.
The average age of coal plants in USA is 45years. Their service life is just about over. They are and will continue to be replaced by renewables.