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Trump's proposed tariffs threaten to drive up clean energy prices
Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China could significantly raise prices for clean energy technologies like electric vehicles, solar panels and heat pumps.
In short:
- Trump plans to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports, and increase tariffs on Chinese goods by 10%, affecting clean energy tech.
- Economists predict these tariffs will add $3,000 to vehicle prices and 35-75 cents per gallon to gas.
- Experts warn the tariffs could stifle innovation and hinder efforts to combat climate change by making green tech less affordable.
Key quote:
“The planet is burning. If there’s anything we should try to cooperate on, it’s stuff that makes a clean transition happen.”
— Ansgar Baums, senior fellow at the Stimson Center
Why this matters:
Higher prices on green technologies could slow the shift to cleaner energy, making it harder to reduce emissions. Protectionist policies may disrupt trade and impede global efforts to fight climate change by making clean tech less accessible.
Read more: American solar firms request federal action against Asian competitors
