Commentary
The upcoming presidential election will likely see a continuation of the current administration’s policies towards China, regardless of the winner.
Both a second Trump administration or a Harris administration would likely persist in addressing China’s issues such as intellectual property theft, forced labor, and unfair trade practices through various measures like sanctions and tariffs.
While efforts have been made to curb China’s aggressive behavior, little progress has been seen in addressing its significant pollution levels, which provide the country with an unfair trade advantage.
Despite promises to reduce emissions, China remains a major contributor to global pollution, with reports suggesting that its environmental efforts may not be as successful as claimed due to lack of transparency in reporting.
Ironically, China’s dominance in green technology comes at a time when its own environmental record is questionable, with the country relying on dirty energy and cheap labor to fuel its growth in this sector.
The Chinese Communist Party is aware of its environmental weaknesses, and has made some attempts to address climate change, but critics remain skeptical of the country’s true commitment to environmental protection.
Recent actions by the United States and Europe, such as imposing tariffs on certain Chinese exports related to green technology, reflect growing concerns about China’s environmental practices and its impact on global markets.
To address these issues effectively, a targeted pollution import fee could be a more viable solution than blanket tariffs, redirecting funds to cleaner manufacturers in the US and encouraging the development of green technology domestically.
Investing in green technology at home will not only benefit the US economy but also prevent China from exploiting the economic opportunities in this sector for its own military advantage.
By implementing smart trade policies focused on pollution, the US can maintain its competitive edge over China and safeguard its interests in the future.
It is crucial to hold offending nations like China accountable for their environmental practices to prevent resources from being diverted towards military buildup that could pose a threat to the US in the long run.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.