It’s all protectionism from here on out: From ‘slippery slope’ to ‘existential threat,’ auto CEOs sound alarm on Chinese competition
Protectionism for US auto makers only protects their US market. By not being competitive, China will be the dominant global maker. As US manufacturers largely abandon EVs – the rest of the world is moving ahead. The US makers – and protectionist policies – are likely to yield long term economic suicide and the end of any global dominance for US car makers.
From about 1980 onward, the US endorsed a free trade policy that encouraged a consumer oriented lifestyle of inexpensive goods made abroad – to the potential detriment of US companies and jobs.
Now, the US government has embraced protectionism for employers – while adopting policies that make consumer goods more expensive.
Apparently no one believed in economic free trade theories – it was about protecting some constituency du jour.
Another point: In about 1973, just 4.7% of Americans were foreign born. By January 2025, 15.8% were foreign born and by 2040, that may exceed 18%. The US has adopted a policy that immigrants – even illegal immigrants – are “better” than native Americans. It’s wild.
Ending globalization and free trade does not seem like a good idea – except for some US business owners.
