According to Reuters, on June 4th, US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm stated that the US plans to increase import tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles by four times, reaching over 100%, starting in August. This move is deemed crucial for the healthy development of the American automotive industry.
In an interview with Reuters on June 4th, Jennifer Granholm said, "The US needs the automotive industry. Without such measures, the US would hand over the entire car market to China, just as it did with the solar panel industry."
The US is investing hundreds of billions of dollars in clean energy tax subsidies to promote the development of American electric vehicles, solar power, and other emerging industries. The new tariffs, set to take effect on August 1st, aim to protect domestic jobs from being overwhelmed by the influx of affordable Chinese imports. Granholm stated, "The US wants the automotive industry to be the cornerstone of manufacturing, so it must take a tough stance on this issue."
Granholm also added that US automakers are "doing everything they can to continue lowering prices" and does not believe that excluding lower-priced Chinese electric vehicles from the US market would hinder American automakers' efforts to reduce prices.
When asked about the criticism from the US Republican Party regarding electric vehicles, Granholm argued that if the US Congress were to eliminate the electric vehicle tax credits in the future, it would be "political malpractice" and would negatively impact auto workers in Republican-voting states.
Granholm also pointed out that by the end of 2024, approximately 1,000 public electric vehicle charging stations are expected to be operational. This is part of a $7.5 billion federal plan, which has so far resulted in the operation of a few charging stations.
