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.
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.
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.
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.