Cape News

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley has taken a stand against what he perceives as a threat to American energy independence by introducing the Declaring Our Energy Independence From China Act. In a statement, Senator Hawley emphasized the importance of prioritizing and protecting U.S. energy independence through measures such as raising tariffs on China's green-energy goods.

Senator Hawley stated, “President Biden’s climate agenda undermines U.S. energy independence and will make us more reliant on China. We can’t afford energy policies that enrich our greatest adversary at the expense of American workers here at home. It’s time to declare our energy independence from China—and we can start by raising tariffs on China's green energy sector."

This new legislation follows previous efforts by Senator Hawley to address concerns related to China's trade practices. Last week, he introduced the Protecting American Autoworkers from China Act, aimed at safeguarding the U.S. auto industry by imposing tariffs on autos imported from China. In May of 2023, Senator Hawley also introduced the Raising Tariffs on Imports from China Act, which focused on imposing tariffs on goods imported from China in response to bilateral deficits.

The Declaring Our Energy Independence From China Act proposed by Senator Hawley includes provisions such as requiring additional tariffs on battery components, solar energy components, and wind energy components imported from China at a 25 percent rate. Furthermore, the bill mandates an increase in the tariff rate by an additional five percent each year for five years, ultimately reaching a final rate of 50 percent. Additionally, the legislation calls for a report from the United States Trade Representative on China's industrial subsidies to its green energy sectors over the previous 15 years.

The full text of the bill can be accessed for further details and information.