This announcement follows the Biden administration’s decision to increase tariffs on $18 billion worth of Chinese goods, including electric vehicles and solar cells, to protect U.S. industries from what officials deem unfair Chinese trade practices.
On Wednesday, White House officials emphasized that these actions aim to ensure a level playing field for the U.S. in competition with China and other countries.
Despite the competitive nature of U.S.-China relations, Podesta highlighted the importance of cooperation on climate change. He noted a recent meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Liu Zhenmin, in Washington, where they agreed to enhance technical and policy exchanges.
“Even as the overall relationship between our two countries has increasingly been characterized by fierce competition, we have an obligation to our citizens and the world to communicate, cooperate, and collaborate on tackling the climate crisis,” Podesta said.
Tariffs on Bifacial Solar Panels
The administration’s actions also coincide with the upcoming end of a two-year pause on penalty duties, effective June 6, for four Southeast Asian countries found to be evading duties on Chinese-made solar modules. President Joe Biden initiated this pause in June 2022, waiving antidumping and countervailing tariffs on imports from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam to allow U.S. companies time to adjust their supply chains.
