U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen faced sharp criticism this week after threatening new tariffs on China's green energy exports—a move experts call a “protectionist disaster” that could backfire on global climate goals. 🌱💥
During her six-day visit to China, Yellen argued that Beijing’s investments in solar panels, EVs, and batteries are “excessive” and threaten foreign companies. But Bloomberg columnist David Fickling fired back, saying the U.S. stance ignores 200 years of economic wisdom. 📉 “It’s like rejecting gravity,” he said. “If another country makes affordable tech, buy it—then focus on what your economy does best.”
China’s green exports made up just 5.7% of total shipments last year—less than luggage or toys. Yet, Fickling notes the U.S. and EU now frame these goods as a threat while simultaneously demanding *more* renewable energy to fight climate change. 🌏❄️ “We agreed to triple clean energy by 2030,” he said. “So why block the tools to get there?”
From lithium batteries to wind turbines, global demand far outstrips supply. Fickling argues China’s investments fill a critical gap, and tariffs risk slowing the energy transition. 🔌⚡ Meanwhile, stalled WTO rules let nations “dress up protectionism as climate policy,” he added—a trend that could leave everyone worse off.
