For the sake of our manufacturing sector, it’s time to hold other countries accountable for their pollution.
In America, we produce manufactured goods much more cleanly and carbon-efficiently than the world. On average, we’re a whole 40% cleaner. Compared to China, we’re three-times more efficient.
Despite this, American producers get zero financial benefits for that clean production. This US “carbon advantage” ought to be monetized to boost our manufacturing industry — including here in Indiana. If we don’t, we essentially give foreign nations a free pass for their pollution, to the detriment of our own hardworking manufacturers, not to mention the environment.
How do we address this? Republican leaders are rallying around a trade policy, called a border carbon adjustment, that would give U.S. producers an instant advantage over their higher-polluting foreign competitors. A BCA would charge imports based on their higher pollution, thereby lowering imports from China and increasing U.S. manufacturing as a result. It’s an especially needed policy approach given the pressure to quickly strengthen domestic supply chains.
Our federal representatives — Senators Mike Braun and Todd Young and Congressmen Jim Baird and Larry Bucshon — are proud champions of the Hoosier manufacturing sector. Especially given the strong steel production in this area and across the state, I hope they will consider this approach.
Jonas Akers
Crawfordsville
