U.S. Government Has a History Supporting Emerging Industries

While we argue over wether or not it is right or wrong to invest in emerging industries, like the clean energy industries. Despite the fact that we always have in the past.

Countries like China are dumping billions into it. Sometimes violating trade agreements in the process. Flooding the market with below cost solar cells, As well as restricting the exports and manipulating the price of rare earth elements.

The first they are now paying a 31% tariff on all solar panels sold in the U.S. manufactured by Chinese companies. The latter is just now being investigated by the WTO.

But in the meantime many companies are being forced to move their operations to China so that they can obtain the raw materials needed to manufacture their products ( at the lowest price ) . And with China being the winner in jobs created, and the American workers getting the shaft.

Mining of rare earth elements has begun in California. But because we aren't willing to cut corners when it comes to protecting the environment and our citizens. We may never be able to compete with China in regards to the price companies will have to pay for these rare earth minerals.

David of WA 7:01PM July 17, 2012