What’s Happening:
Biden argues that the United States needs a strong economic relationship with China. Why? Well, because apparently, whatever benefits China benefits us too.
So Biden has taken steps to try to strengthen that relationship regardless of what anyone else thinks about it. Unfortunately for us, that includes valuing Chinese products over American-made ones. In his bid last year for “competition, not conflict,” he declared a 24-month tariff exemption from Chinese solar panels.
But his decision did not go over well with the Senate, as Democrats disagreed with it so much that they joined Republicans to oppose it. Senators from both parties mentioned how it was anti-American.
From Fox News:
The Senate approved a measure Wednesday evening to override President Biden’s move last year to allow Chinese solar panel makers to avoid tariffs for 24 months.
In a bipartisan 56-41 vote, the Senate voted in favor of the resolution — which was sponsored by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and co-sponsored by Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. — the latest congressional action to face an expected veto from President Biden. The vote comes less than a week after the House passed a companion resolution with 12 Democrats voting in favor.
It’s already difficult for both parties to agree on anything but here, when the issue spells harm to workers, they came together to counter and reverse it. Because forced, cheaper labor in China not only violates Chinese workers’ rights but takes jobs away from Americans.
Why solar panels, anyway? I get that consumers want greener products. Also, solar energy is a growing market that gives tax subsidies for people who use it.
However, the Chinese manufacture of solar panels involves forced labor. It’s also a waste since people throw used solar panels into landfills.
Chinese companies already hold an 80% share in the global solar panel industry. What about American jobs for manufacturing solar panels?
Biden’s decision would stop Ohioans’ ability to do just that and help power the economy. The Senate saw it for the injustice it was, which is why even his own party condemned his decision and reversed it.
Whoever is profiting from Chinese products, it definitely isn’t the American people. Instances such as these remind me how important it is to have a check on the executive branch. Biden must realize he doesn’t have a free license to prioritize China over American jobs.
Key Takeaways
- The Senate overrode Biden’s move to allow a 24-month tariff exemption for Chinese solar panels he made last year.
- The Senate’s bill is bipartisan in support of workers in Ohio over the Chinese Communist Party.
- China’s solar industry in Xinjiang Province is tied to forced labor.
Source: Fox News
