There isn’t really such thing as “free trade”, at least not how it’s described in most definitions. While it is a reference to knocking down regulations and trade barriers (which does include tariffs), it is only really used in a way that serves imperialist interests. It is normally used to prevent countries from using protectionism to ensure their own industries can be built up, particularly to drive food sovereignty, to make them instead develop economies that suit imperialist exploitation (and generate food dependency).
So I’m not in favor of free trade.
But we can recognize that putting big ol’ tariffs on Chinese solar panels has mostly just amounted to shortages and delays for installing solar globally, and the only purpose of those tariffs is to begin building up a new cold war, not anything that is actually beneficial regarding the climate.
Well, my position is not exactly in agreement. While I was curious, I think there are far more reasons to apply tariffs to certain products than simply wanting another cold war.
Well the US has no stimulate-able domestic industry so isolating China is the only realistic option. And this has been clear for at least a decade. There is no domestic industry making these things at any usable scale.
Medium-scale solar panel installations are backed up over a year btw.
Yes, most certainly. Spikes in demand can do that. If 71% growth remains consistent, it’ll be resolved in short order. Though it’ll probably dip as the overall manufacturing capacity increases, since its just a percentage of the total.
There isn’t really such thing as “free trade”, at least not how it’s described in most definitions. While it is a reference to knocking down regulations and trade barriers (which does include tariffs), it is only really used in a way that serves imperialist interests. It is normally used to prevent countries from using protectionism to ensure their own industries can be built up, particularly to drive food sovereignty, to make them instead develop economies that suit imperialist exploitation (and generate food dependency).
So I’m not in favor of free trade.
But we can recognize that putting big ol’ tariffs on Chinese solar panels has mostly just amounted to shortages and delays for installing solar globally, and the only purpose of those tariffs is to begin building up a new cold war, not anything that is actually beneficial regarding the climate.
Fair enough. Thank you for the clarification.
Of course! Thank you for your question and your position as well
Well, my position is not exactly in agreement. While I was curious, I think there are far more reasons to apply tariffs to certain products than simply wanting another cold war.
Well the US has no stimulate-able domestic industry so isolating China is the only realistic option. And this has been clear for at least a decade. There is no domestic industry making these things at any usable scale.
Medium-scale solar panel installations are backed up over a year btw.
US manufacturing currently sat at 26 GW annually, with a 71% increase in the first quarter of the year. Demand being high is also unsurprising.
Over a year delay is clearly demonstrable undercapacity
Yes, most certainly. Spikes in demand can do that. If 71% growth remains consistent, it’ll be resolved in short order. Though it’ll probably dip as the overall manufacturing capacity increases, since its just a percentage of the total.
It’s been years.