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Potential Impacts of “America First” Policies on U.S. Cleantech
The recently announced “America First” initiative by President-elect Donald Trump raises significant concerns regarding its implications for the U.S. cleantech sector. The proposed imposition of substantial tariffs on imported goods could lead to increased costs and hinder the progress of various clean technology projects across the nation.
These tariffs could result in billions of dollars being added to the expenses incurred by U.S. companies, which would, in turn, affect consumers. Key components such as batteries for electric vehicles and steel essential for constructing solar farms, geothermal installations, nuclear power stations, and transmission infrastructure could see their prices rise dramatically.
As the nation transitions toward renewable energy, three critical areas stand out where the costs of necessary materials and products could escalate due to these tariff policies.
Read more about these implications in detail.
—James Temple
Google’s Antitrust Challenges amidst Political Changes
In a significant development last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) unveiled its recommendations regarding remedies for the antitrust case against Google. While it was anticipated that the DOJ would take a strong stance, the extent of the proposed remedies is alarming and could have devastating effects on Google’s operations.
Google is expected to respond with its own proposals to the court in the near future. Ultimately, it will be up to Judge Amit Mehta, who has been overseeing the case, to make determinations about which remedies, if any, will be implemented. The DOJ’s suggestions raise critical questions about the balance between enforcing competition laws and the potential consequences for the tech giant. Additionally, the role of the incoming Trump administration in this process remains uncertain, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
—Mat Honan
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