Justifying a Protectionist Turn in US Trade Policy: How the US Has Legitimized the Implementation of Solar Photovoltaic Tariffs
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2024-08-18
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en
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By placing the tariffs on solar photovoltaic (PV) in a historical timeline of United States (US) trade
policy and the academic debate on protectionist policies, this study shows that within US trade policy
the competitiveness of the US manufacturing sector and job creation has justified the protectionist tariffs
placed against Chinese solar products. The continued tariffs on Chinese solar imports have shown, that
the justifications against the tariffs, such as climate change, product affordability, and a decrease in job
availability, were deemed less legitimate and important than the justifications in favor of the tariffs. By
coupling the market justifications (manufacturing and job creation) to anti-dumping measures, national
security, and human rights violations of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region, the US has framed the tariffs
not as protectionist but as aligned with the principles of the liberal international order. While the US has
recognized a shift in its trade policy, it does recognize this as a protectionist shift, but still in line with
its liberal values and fair trade. However, literature on protectionist policies has questioned the validity
of these arguments, suggesting US justifications are not entirely grounded in market values but are more
reflective of its desire to maintain its leadership position in the international order.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen