From batteries and solar panels to drones and satellites, China is building tech capabilities that extend well beyond AI, writes Steve Feldstein in his new book, "Bytes and Bullets: Global Rivalries, Big Tech, and the New Shape of Modern Warfare."
The US and its O&G and car industries absolutely let China become the main manufacturer of batteries and EVs.
Like Exxon, the US knew electrification was the future because of climate change, but tried to dismiss it. China seized the opportunity like a true capitalist, while the US government interefered with the free market to hinder electrification. This has been going on for over 20 years now.
Ah but you should also check China’s population vs that of the US, that will put things in perspective. Also check if China’s pollution is due to being a manufacturing hub for other countries that might outsource their own manufacturing. You might be surprised. You can’t pay China to pollute for you and then blame China for polluting for you. Also, the US used to sell many ICE cars to China. The US can’t blame China for polluting if the US pushes pollution sources to China. China has been electrifying to push back against those ICE cars from the US. Polluting to produce solar panels is also much cleaner overall than polluting to produce even more pollution sources.
The US and its O&G and car industries absolutely let China become the main manufacturer of batteries and EVs.
Like Exxon, the US knew electrification was the future because of climate change, but tried to dismiss it. China seized the opportunity like a true capitalist, while the US government interefered with the free market to hinder electrification. This has been going on for over 20 years now.
Except that also China interefered with the market, just in a different way
China subsidizes electrification while the US subsidizes fossil fuels. Both interfere, but the US in a way that further accelerates global warming.
Last time I checked, China was the biggest polluter with 30% of CO2 produced against the 12% of US, just saying.
4.2x more people though, not much point in comparing only 1 figure like that without more context.
Ah but you should also check China’s population vs that of the US, that will put things in perspective. Also check if China’s pollution is due to being a manufacturing hub for other countries that might outsource their own manufacturing. You might be surprised. You can’t pay China to pollute for you and then blame China for polluting for you. Also, the US used to sell many ICE cars to China. The US can’t blame China for polluting if the US pushes pollution sources to China. China has been electrifying to push back against those ICE cars from the US. Polluting to produce solar panels is also much cleaner overall than polluting to produce even more pollution sources.