We need targeted policies, not blunt tariffs, to drive “American energy dominance”

The opinion series for guests in Mit Technology Review, provides expert comment on legal, political and organizational issues related to climate change and clean energy. You can read the rest of the pieces here.

The current temporary suspension for 90 days when the so -called “mutual” definitions of the administration represents a decisive opportunity. Instead of failing to pay on the broad customs tariff, the administration must use this window to align the commercial policy with a focused industrial strategy-one that aims to win the global race to become a manufacturing force in energy technologies from the next generation.

By align the design of the customs tariff tightly with the strengths of the United States in research, development and modern government investment in the life innovation life cycle, the administration can transform the commercial position to decline into a pre -emptive plan for economic growth and geopolitical advantage.

The president is right to point out that America is enjoying the world’s leading energy resources. Over the past decade, the country has grown from being a net importer to a net oil and the largest oil and gas producer in the world. These resources are indisputable in an undeniable way of America’s ability to reformulate and rebuild a flexible local industrial base, while providing strategic leverage abroad.

But the world exceeds the model that is more than centuries old to extract the burning fossil fuel, which is initially moved by climate risk, but increasingly due to economic opportunities. America will achieve real energy dominance only through development further than that it is just a source of energy commodities emitting from greenhouse gases, and becomes the world of manufacturing and innovation in the world for high -value advanced energy technologies.

It is worth noting that the nation played a leadership role in developing the basic components of the clean technology sector, including solar photovoltaic cells and electric cars. However, often, the fruits of this innovation – especially the manufacture of jobs and export opportunities – ended abroad, especially in China.

China, which is subject to the most sharp tariff Trump, has become no delay in stopping for 90 days, has become the world’s dominant product of lithium -ion batteries, EVS, wind turbines, and other main components of the transmission of clean energy.

Today, the United States is making exciting steps in the following generation techniques, including integration energy, clean steel, advanced batteries, industrial heat pumps, and thermal energy storage. These developments can transform industrial processes, reduce emissions, improve air quality, and increase the strategic value of our fossil fuel resources. This does not simply mean burning their energy content, but instead using it as materials for chemicals and chemicals of higher value that occupy the modern economy.