The U.S. government should block the import of low-cost Chinese autos and parts from Mexico, a U.S. manufacturing advocacy group said on Friday, warning they could threaten the viability of American car companies.

  • smoothbrain coldtakes@lemmy.ca
    18·
    9 months ago

    If the American car companies focused on their own viability they wouldn’t have this problem. Instead they focused on making the electrification process a premium luxury while the Chinese made it as affordable as possible.

    • AE5NE@lemmy.radio
      6·
      9 months ago

      There’s no way to be viable against a heavily government-subsidized competitor who operates in a country with little to no labor, environmental, or safety regulation.

      • 1rre@discuss.tchncs.de
        3·
        9 months ago

        Exactly right with regards to China, less so Mexico…

        If you’re making fun of the US for being pro-free market but not here, surely it makes sense for them to tariff imports the same amount that their production is subsidised, or to subsidise the same amount as everyone else to at least approximate the free market

  • unmagical@lemmy.ml
    14·
    9 months ago

    No. We should absolutely let them in so that hard working Americans have more ready access to affordable wares and help their paychecks stretch longer.

    You wouldn’t want to interfere with the God-given competition and the invisible hand that fuel the market would you?

  • TheBaldness@beehaw.org
    13·
    9 months ago

    US labor can’t really compete with the low cost of Chinese labor. On the other hand, it’s not like US automakers are making small affordable EVs, even though there is a demand for them. Imported Chinese EVs fill that niche and also contain things like strategic metals, rare earth magnets, and lithium battery tech. All of that is recyclable, and they want to sell it to America for super cheap prices. If we were smart, when these cars are done being cars, we’ll reuse and recycle these materials right here in the USA. That could be a growth industry unto itself.

    • Banzai51@midwest.socialEnglish
      3·
      9 months ago

      Keep in mind, the cost of labor is the smallest piece of the cost of a vehicle. It’s about being afraid to talk to their own workers and treat them like humans.

  • lilmann@beehaw.org
    6·
    9 months ago

    Mercedes blocking the import of cars less than 25 years old is the reason I can’t have any of the cool overseas cars that I want. Fuck them, let cars come over here if we want them