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EU's Climate Hypocrisy: Tariffs on Chinese EVs Reveal True Priorities
559 sats \ 12 comments \ @TomK 5 Oct econ
The European Union's recent decision to impose hefty tariffs of 45% on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) has exposed a glaring contradiction in its climate policy. While claiming to champion CO2 reduction in transportation, the EU's protectionist measures effectively limit access to affordable green alternatives.
This move raises questions about the sincerity of Europe's commitment to combating climate change. If reducing emissions were truly the priority, wouldn't the logical step be to open markets wider, enabling more consumers to purchase cost-effective, eco-friendly vehicles?
Instead, the EU has opted to shield its automotive industry from competition, potentially slowing the transition to cleaner transportation. This decision reveals that economic protectionism may be trumping environmental concerns in Brussels.
The irony is palpable: in the name of climate protection, Europe is making it harder for its citizens to adopt cleaner technologies. This policy not only contradicts stated climate goals but also risks delaying the widespread adoption of EVs across the continent.
The correct policy would be to dismantle the bureaucratic apparatus and also leave the automotive industry to free competition. Let companies and consumers decide on the best allocation of resources in the economy, not ideology-soaked officials far away in Brussels.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-04/europe-readies-tariffs-on-flood-of-cheap-chinese-evs?utm_content=economics&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&cmpid%3D=socialflow-twitter-economics&utm_medium=social
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Taurus 6 Oct
Climate policy is primordial but I agree with you. These tariffs don’t make sence. US did the same
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0 sats \ 1 reply \ @stack_harder 6 Oct
this is just classic EU, keeping their crusty fucking socialist factories afloat while most people cant afford an ev, even if they want one.
while i think it's important to not give all the jobs away to china (although a bit too late for that), these govs never think about making something or doing something more competitive
chinas basically subsidizing the whole thing on their end, why doesn't the eu take a hit and print up some more money to make a super affordable ev as well. they're going to print and fuck around anyway
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Taurus 6 Oct
US .. too. Even up to 100% tariffs
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @stack_harder 6 Oct
this is just classic
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Solomonsatoshi 6 Oct
The Chinese have won the trade war - nobody can produce EVs and almost everything else as efficiently as China. EU can put tariffs on Chinese EVs but that just increases the cost of EVs for EU citizens and keeps inefficient EU factories open a little longer. China has shown that it can beat the west at its own game.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @rebel_nomad 6 Oct
Its not a smart thing to base your core policies on a literal scam and all the collective hallucinations derived from that!
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @IamSINGLE 6 Oct
No, they actually have realised that their propoganda can't go on forever. The world has realised that pollution by the waste material of batteries would be more harmful.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @TheMorningStar 6 Oct

EU official target for climate

In 2023, the EU adopted a set of Commission proposals to make the EU's climate, energy, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. **This will enable the EU to become the first climate-neutral continent. https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/climate-strategies-targets/2030-climate-targets.
And if they don't do it, we all will die. What a bullshit! I don't see this propaganda running till 2030.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @q 5 Oct
We can first of all declare that tariffs in the long run are bad for domestic innovation because the real competition is played out and there is no incentives to improve anymore.
Regarding the situation with China, actions must be taken because Chinese producers receive government subsidies, making it impossible to compete fairly. The challenge is to balance maintaining domestic innovation with reducing CO2 emissions, without ignoring the impact of external market forces.
I don't now how valid this data is might suspect that China needs to make some actions: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/co-emissions-per-capita?tab=chart&country=CHN~European+Union+%2828%29
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Undisciplined 5 Oct
It's almost like the green energy policies are just there to enrich a special interest lobby.
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0 sats \ 1 reply \ @Satosora 5 Oct
Interesting way of seeing things. How clean is that tech though?
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Solomonsatoshi 6 Oct
Probably cleaner than a VW diesel?
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