"Trump Says Clean Energy Is a Scam. That Could Benefit China, Experts Say."

"President Biden’s landmark climate law could be repealed in a Trump administration. Economists said that would jeopardize $488 billion in American investments."

"In the race for the White House, former President Donald J. Trump has attacked President Biden’s policies to expand renewable energy as a “plan to make China rich” because America’s greatest economic rival also controls many of the parts needed for electric-vehicle batteries, solar panels and other green technology.

But eliminating Mr. Biden’s climate policies would end up helping China, economists say, by jeopardizing hundreds of billions of dollars in manufacturing investments that have already been made in the United States and sending that work back to other countries, including China.

“If America chooses as a matter of political decision to go backward on the green transition, it won’t stop the global process because that’s already underway,” said Stuart P.M. Mackintosh, an economist and author of the book “Climate Crisis Economics.” “From a manufacturing perspective, you’re just ensuring the Chinese edge in these technologies continues to get wider.”"

Lisa Friedman reports for the New York Times June 26, 2024.

Source: NYTimes, 06/27/2024