Guess what? We get to pay for China's emissions!

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sidewinder
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Guess what? We get to pay for China's emissions!

Post by sidewinder »

I've avoided posting a lot of political stuff here, but this one is so over the top that I can't imagine there is anyone here who will defend this idiocy. And, for the record, yes the Commerce Secretary is a Dem, but if it wasn't for weak kneed Republicans this crap couldn't happen so on this I'm not suggesting taking sides...but we have to raise a fuss and stop this or the country is over.


From the Wall Street Journal:


Commerce Secretary: Americans ‘Need to Pay’ for Chinese Emissions

NOTE: This post was updated Saturday morning.
GaryLocke_art_200v_20090717090909.jpg
Better leave the hardhat on (AP)

With the U.S. secretaries of energy and commerce in China this week, much of the attention focused on the standoff over emissions reductions or small breakthroughs in clean-tech cooperation.

But yesterday, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said something amazing—U.S. consumers should pay for part of Chinese greenhouse-gas emissions. From Reuters:

“It’s important that those who consume the products being made all around the world to the benefit of America — and it’s our own consumption activity that’s causing the emission of greenhouse gases, then quite frankly Americans need to pay for that,” Commerce Secretary Gary Locke told the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.

The idea that rich-country consumers should pick up the tab for some of China’s industrial emissions has been gaining currency lately—but not from within the Obama administration. The argument is that many of China’s factories churn out cheap stuff for the West, not for domestic consumption, so those consumers are actually responsible for the emissions. China, of course, loves the idea.

This could just be another area for trade tensions with China over the environment. The House climate bill includes a provision for mandatory “carbon tariffs” on dirty imports from countries such as China, which might be illegal under international trade law and which have riled up Beijing. President Obama and Senate leaders have frowned on hardline trade measures.

But Secretary Locke’s statement could open up a new can of worms—right when China’s actions on energy and the environment are proving so crucial to mustering support among wavering senators for the administration’s big cap-and-trade bill.

UPDATE: The Commerce Department sent this clarification late Friday:

“Secretary Locke has been very clear on emphasizing the importance of fair trade as a part of the United States’ relationship with China. He believes U.S. companies should not be disadvantaged by Chinese imports not bound by responsible policies to reduce carbon emissions. China and the US must work together to ensure a level playing field and reduce our carbon footprints. The Secretary’s trip to China demonstrated his commitment to fair trade and his belief that both the United States and China can benefit from shared investments and cooperation in clean energy that will lead to commercial and environmental benefits for both countries.”
The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities. - Ayn Rand
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betty.k
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Re: Guess what? We get to pay for China's emissions!

Post by betty.k »

dude, not only is this a non political site, it's an anti political site.

there are plenty of places you can start up these sorts of political discussions. bitpimps is not one of them.




first and last warning. :-x
i used to be cool
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