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.

      • @[email protected]
        13•1 month ago

        I would consider it, though they don’t currently sell anything I would consider to be affordable.

        • @[email protected]
          6•1 month ago

          Those pickup trucks do look really nice, though. If I ever triple my salary I might consider one.

      • @[email protected]
        9•1 month ago

        Ain’t spending that stupid amount of money for either a Tesla or Rivian. Make something half the price that can run 300 miles, and you will have my attention, (the Chevy Bolt was so close).

        EVs are toys for the upper middle class and the rich.

      • @[email protected]
        8•1 month ago

        At $74k per truck, you could buy 2.5 $30k Priusi

        The Silverado Electric is at least in an affordable ballpark, at $40k for their base model. But what the hell does everyone need a truck for, anyway? I see them in the office parking garage all the time, and I can’t imagine what everyone thinks they’re lifting or towing.

        Meanwhile, the BYD Seagull goes for under $10k, a third the price of a Nissan Leaf.

        • @[email protected]
          2•1 month ago

          I’m excited for affordable electric trucks.

          I do a lot of wood working as a hobby and some commissions for friends, and deeply regret having to sell my old F150 for a van. Now I have to rent a store pickup if I need to move large sheets of plywood or long pieces of dimensional lumber. I also work in the trades, and while it’s possible to move most of the stuff I need in my van, a pickup would be nice, as long as it doesn’t suck down gas like it’s got a hole in the tank.

          Having an electric pickup that doesn’t cost as much as a corvette would be really nice for my use case.

        • @[email protected]
          2•1 month ago

          I buy lumber every couple of weekends. Sometimes used furniture. Can’t do that in my Civic. So I have to borrow my dad’s truck. I’d love to get a light pickup like the S-10 or Ranger used to be (and electric if it was available) but there’s nothing like that available these days because of American bullshit.

          • @[email protected]English
            2•1 month ago

            Yes, you seem to need it, but almost every time I see a pickup truck, it is:

            • Driven by a white dude with no passengers
            • Has no cargo
            • Not hauling anything

            I full up my 11-gallon tank in my small 4-door car. I can’t imagine the expense of filing that up, nor the payments of purchasing one

            • @[email protected]
              1•1 month ago

              Yea, that’s a big part of why I haven’t got one. For my daily commute my car is fine and very economical. If they still made small trucks a single cab with a full size bed would be perfect for me but that’s apparently not in line with what the rest of the country wants. If my dad sells his though I might have to bite the bullet.