Washington, D.C.—In response to the recommendations released today by the Republican China Task Force, SAFE President and CEO Robbie Diamond made the following statement:
“The Task Force correctly diagnoses the risk of a rising China to American security and industrial base and is right to call for a bipartisan, whole-of-government response, but even more should be added to the assessment. A minerals-to-markets response must be taken to compete with China for the future of transportation, which includes support to build the electric and autonomous vehicle market in the U.S. in order to strengthen the U.S. auto and truck industry—a sector that forms the backbone of our advanced manufacturing economy and the cornerstone of American industrial strength. If the U.S. market is not seen as strong and leading the supply chain, its ecosystem will develop and mature in China, taking our jobs and industry with it.”
In its latest report, The Commanding Heights Of Global Transportation, SAFE outlines the economic and security risks the United States runs if it cedes leadership of tomorrow’s connected, autonomous, shared and electric vehicles to China. In particular, market incentives such as reforming the 30D light-duty EV tax credit, creating similar credits for medium- and heavy-duty EVs, and expanding the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program must be implemented in order to quickly scale up the U.S. market for tomorrow’s transportation, which the United States must accomplish in order to compete with Beijing’s leadership.
In addition to the national security concerns presented by U.S. reliance on its biggest strategic rival for its future transportation needs, losing out to Beijing also risks the long-term health of the U.S. auto and truck industry. This sector employs almost 10 million people, accounts for 3.5 percent of U.S. GDP, and has held strategic importance making wartime vehicles as the Arsenal for Democracy in World War II, and making ventilators and personal protective equipment as the Arsenal of Health during the COVID-19 crisis.
About SAFE
SAFE enhances the nation’s energy security and supports our economic resurgence and resiliency, by advancing transformative transportation and mobility technologies and ensuring that the United States secures key aspects of the technology supply chain to achieve and maintain our strategic advantage.
In partnership with the Electrification Coalition, SAFE’s sister organization, we work with consumers, businesses, and policymakers, to launch award-winning “real-world” programs and enable the needed polices to accelerate transportation electrification around the country to reduce our Nation’s dependence on oil.
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