US setting stage for solar trade war with China

[Stephen + 67]

attorneys at the U.S. International Trade Commission are arguing that their recommendation to impose a tariff on foreign solar cells - something President Donald Trump is expected to decide in favor of - is the result of unforeseen actions by China to expand its solar manufacturing industry. The White House is preparing to argue that trade barriers are needed to foster solar manufacturing inside the United States

[JohnAtronis + 78]

Well, fact is that cheap solar imports allow China to unfairly profit from Americans’ use of renewable power and gain influence in the developing world’s energy infrastructure. So this is a good move but came some five years too late

[Meanwhile + 49]

China not only subsidizes solar panel production, it also funds basic research in solar technology. That's not something this administration wants to match. 

[Joanna + 68]

Let us be clear, that will not end well for the US given Chinese manufacturing capability. 

[Joanna + 68]

7 minutes ago, JohnAtronis said:

Well, fact is that cheap solar imports allow China to unfairly profit from Americans’ use of renewable power and gain influence in the developing world’s energy infrastructure. So this is a good move but came some five years too late

The dramatic growth in solar jobs in the USA is not nearly so much in manufacturing, but in installation, project planning, sales and finance. Solar manufacturing jobs totaled about 38,000 last year, while the other solar sectors employed more than 220,000 people in 2016

[Stephen + 67]

Well, it is clear what our current priorities are. it is impossible to compete with any other countries on solar when we are pushing coal and nuclear

[Meanwhile + 49]

So why dont we take oil company's unnecessary subsidies and make solar more affordable?

[JohnAtronis + 78]

What is the deal with washing machines now?

"Foreign makers of such products as washing machines and solar panels are ramping up shipments to the U.S. ahead of government decisions on whether to erect new barriers, trade data show."

[Stephen + 67]

Last year, residential appliance producer Whirlpool filed a safeguard petition under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 claiming that an increase in certain washing machine imports — specifically from LG and Samsung — has seriously injured the domestic industry. United States International Trade Commission (USITC) officials have proposed imposing a 50-percent tariff on large residential washing machines imports.

[Meanwhile + 49]

Just now, Stephen said:

Last year, residential appliance producer Whirlpool filed a safeguard petition under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 claiming that an increase in certain washing machine imports — specifically from LG and Samsung — has seriously injured the domestic industry. United States International Trade Commission (USITC) officials have proposed imposing a 50-percent tariff on large residential washing machines imports.

Ships brought 9,063 containers' worth of large residential washers to U.S. ports in November, more than double the previous year

[Joanna + 68]

1 minute ago, Meanwhile said:

Ships brought 9,063 containers' worth of large residential washers to U.S. ports in November, more than double the previous year

Despite being based elsewhere, companies like Samsung and LG are responsible for thousands of jobs created in the United States, and attempts to punish them for providing lower prices for customers can easily harm job and wage growth