Justifying a Protectionist Turn in US Trade Policy: How the US Has Legitimized the Implementation of Solar Photovoltaic Tariffs

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dc.contributor.advisorQaio Franco, Guangyu
dc.contributor.authorOpgenoort, Lisanne
dc.date.issued2024-08-18
dc.description.abstractBy 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.
dc.identifier.urihttps://theses.ubn.ru.nl/handle/123456789/18038
dc.language.isoen
dc.thesis.facultyFaculteit der Managementwetenschappen
dc.thesis.specialisationspecialisations::Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen::Master Political Science::International Relations
dc.thesis.studyprogrammestudyprogrammes::Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen::Master Political Science
dc.thesis.typeMaster
dc.titleJustifying a Protectionist Turn in US Trade Policy: How the US Has Legitimized the Implementation of Solar Photovoltaic Tariffs
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