US imposes tariffs on Chinese Solar
23.03.2012
The USA has stated to impose import-tariffs on cheaper Chinese solar panels in order to protect its own industry. (see Guardian)
The Obama administration, which regularly champions America’s cleanenergy industry, has delivered modest support for home-grown solar panel makers complaining of unfair competition from China
In a much-anticipated decision, the commerce department on Tuesday said it would impose tariffs of 2.9% to 4.73% on Chinese-made solar panels, after finding the Beijing government was providing illegal subsidies to manufacturers. (Guardian)

Hence, once the US gets a project on the way, they proceed with it. Think of Roosevelt’s New Deal, the Moon-project or even emission trading (now almost a global conensus-policy). For a switch to renewables, Obama needs to prove to ordinary Americans, that it is job-creating, good for business and nature. To achieve this, he needs some good examples. But until now, there are little to none best-practice examples from this sector. Quiet the contrary: millions were spend without a positive net-effect being felt by the general public. The topic of “harvesting our natural resources like wind, solar…” (Obama 2008) is off the table and shut away prior to the elections. If Obama wants to get the votes of Green Democrats out in November, he needs to be more outspoken on this. In order to not loose votes in the middle, he has to show something.
The tariffs might still be a national-oriented industrial policy with little climate in view, but it could have long term positive effects on the US.
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