Andrew Calhoun, Jr. / 4-3-2008 / 1:27PM / Pollution
In this latest battle with China to cut down on pollution, the US has urged officials within the country to reduce the trade tariffs and restrictions they place on environmental-friendly technologies imported into the country. Feeling that these tariffs discourage other countries, like the US, from importing technologies into China, they also feel the tariffs are counter-productive in the fight to reduce China's air pollution issues. Given the facts, like China having 16 of the 20 worst cities with pollution and China being the world's number one emitter of greenhouse gases, allowing such technology would help both China's conditions as well as the US's desire to have their exports accepted at lower prices.
In response to the US' push for lower tariffs, China has replied that they have these high tariffs on green technology because of US restrictions on already existing trades, claiming that the US puts higher restrictions on dual military use technology exported China. However, not all the debate was nonconstructive. Officials also acknowledged that cooperation between these two governments is highly necessary as the US needs to save more and consume less while China needs to consume more and save less.
I find this article highly interesting mostly because it exposes the interconnectedness of all issues to economy. It's funny how an issue such as environmental health can be reduced to an issue involving saving money or spending it, as if the conditions and health of the planet is something that can only be abused if enough people are making money from it-and the right people.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-04-03-voa30.cfm
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