Golden introduces bills to protect America’s energy independence, auto industry with increased tariffs on China

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today introduced legislation to safeguard America’s energy independence and protect America’s auto industry with increased tariffs on the importation of Chinese renewable energy products and autos.

“Our country imports far more goods than it exports, a trade imbalance that threatens our future and leaves us dependent on the productive capacity of our competitors. When it comes to our manufacturers and energy independence, Congress should privilege American industry and be relentless champions for America and our workers,” Golden said. “But industrial and trade policy aren’t just about our economy. They’re about our ability to write our future on our own terms. Raising tariffs on Chinese autos and green energy technology will ensure our industrial base, and thus our future, is strong.”

The two bills are: 

• The Declaring Our Energy Independence from China Act, which would require the President to apply additional tariffs to all battery components, solar energy components, and wind energy components imported from China at a 25 percent rate. The rate would rise by an additional five percent each of the following five years, for a final rate of 50 percent. The bill also would require the United States Trade Representative to submit to Congress a report detailing the extent to which China has, during the preceding 15 years, provided industrial subsidies to its battery, solar energy, and wind energy sectors.
• The Protecting American Autoworkers from China Act, whichwould increase the current tariff on Chinese auto imports to 125 percent of the base rate. The higher tariff rate would apply to all imported autos manufactured by Chinese automakers, regardless of where the vehicle is manufactured, so that Chinese manufacturers cannot use other nations, such as Mexico, as a backdoor to avoid the tariffs. The bill is endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

China in 2023 overtook Japan as the largest auto exporter in the world and leads the global market in electric vehicle cars and parts. Meanwhile, a global glut of Chinese clean energy productsundermines America’s domestic energy sector. 

The bills are companion bills to legislation introduced in the Senate by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) in March. 

###