STORY: U.S. tariffs on Chinese EVs prioritize interest over clean energy, free market ideals: Turkish experts
SHOOTING TIME: May 21, 2024
DATELINE: May 23, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:09
LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Chinese EV industry
2. various of the streets in the U.S.
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): BARIS DOSTER, Academic at the Istanbul-based Marmara University
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): BARIS DOSTER, Academic at the Istanbul-based Marmara University
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): SEMIH ERYUKSELDI, Automotive sector insider

STORYLINE:
The significant increase in tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) highlights a concerning neglect of priorities such as clean energy and free market principles, in favor of the nation's narrow self-interest, according to Turkish experts and industry insiders.

Last week, the White House announced a significant tariff increase, jumping from 25 to 100 percent, on imported electric vehicles (EVs), solar cells, and other clean-energy products from China.

Baris Doster, an academic at the Istanbul-based Marmara University, spoke to Xinhua.   

SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): BARIS DOSTER, Academic at the Istanbul-based Marmara University
"When confronted with economic, technological, and industrial competition from China, the U.S. swiftly implements protectionist measures. This move underscores the hypocrisy and double standards of the U.S. in its proclaimed support for free market economy, liberalism, capitalism, and free enterprise."

Doster contends that such protectionist measures undermine the credibility of environmental initiatives and green economy agendas pursued by Western nations.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): BARIS DOSTER, Academic at the Istanbul-based Marmara University
"When China makes contributions in this area, these ideals quickly fade into the background, and (the U.S. and Western countries) readily step back from their promises."

According to Semih Eryukseldi, an industry veteran with nearly 14 years of experience in the automobile sector in Istanbul, China followed a different strategy in dominating the world EV market.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): SEMIH ERYUKSELDI, Automotive sector insider
"They (Chinese brands' EVs) develop at a rapid pace, providing both exceptional equipment and high performance at an economical price point. Naturally, the U.S. and European countries aim to hinder this progress. Instead of embracing advancements like extending EV ranges from 400 km to 800 km or even 1,000 km and reducing charging times from three hours to just 40 minutes or 30 minutes, they opt for tax hikes."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Istanbul, Türkiye.
(XHTV)