Your Voice: Tariffs on Chinese EVs are bad for the environment; Trump’s criminal conviction is a concern (long letters)

The rapid growth of China’s electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing market and the export of low-cost EVs has been under scrutiny recently. Foreign governments have become aware of the potential impact of Chinese EVs on their domestic markets and have taken action.

Instead of embracing the benefits for domestic consumers and the environment, foreign governments have announced significant tariffs on Chinese EVs to protect local jobs and domestic EV producers.

A significant difference between the West and China is the increased prevalence of these vehicles. In the US and UK, cars that use fossil fuels are still the most common.

In contrast, on a recent visit to Shenzhen, we were amazed by the sounds in the city. The roar of ignition, the constant humming of engines, and the smog from exhaust pipes – all commonly observed in the West – were missing. The city had an immaculate atmosphere, largely thanks to the rapid adoption of EVs.

According to digital marketing agency Think China, EVs represent almost 70 per cent of cars and 100 per cent of buses and taxis in Shenzhen. These numbers are much lower in the US and the UK.

The average cost of a new car in the US is around US$48,000. However, EVs from China are much more affordable, with BYD’s most basic model costing just US$9,700. This significant price difference presents a real opportunity for students and fresh graduates to own a car. Chinese EVs offer affordability and environmental friendliness, a win-win situation for young consumers and the environment.

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According to automotive news website Carscoops, 76 per cent of young Americans would be willing to buy a Chinese EV. This data is unsurprising given the considerable savings and alignment with the ethos of the increasingly environmentally-aware younger generation.

The newly implemented tariffs not only limit consumers’ options and freedom of choice in the US and EU but also force them to pay more and effectively punish them for their choices. These tariffs also seriously affect the world’s mission for a cleaner environment, leaving consumers with fewer affordable and environmentally friendly options.

Most importantly, the new tariffs restrict competition in the EV market. As Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius said, the Chinese EV market is a “natural progression of competition, and it needs to be met with better products, better technology, more agility.”

Cheap EVs from China should be seen as an invitation for Western firms to innovate and improve their existing products, promising a brighter and more advanced future for the EV market.

Tariffs deter global free trade and force producers and consumers to pay higher prices. No one wins in a world with tariffs. Without them, Chinese EVs can benefit future consumers like ourselves by creating a clean and sustainable environment at an affordable cost.

Hayden Ng (Pui Kiu College)

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent news about Donald Trump’s criminal conviction in a New York court for covering up a hush money payment to a porn star.

While this ruling may not impede his ability to pursue his presidential campaign, it raises significant questions about the integrity of the US political system and the message it sends to the American people.

The fact that a criminal conviction and even a prison sentence would not hinder Trump’s eligibility to become president is a flaw in the American constitutional framework. This oversight undermines the fundamental principles of accountability and ethical leadership.

Is it appropriate for someone with a criminal conviction, particularly one related to dishonesty and false records, to hold the highest office in America?

The presidency should embody integrity, trustworthiness and a commitment to upholding the rule of law. Allowing a convicted individual to assume the presidency sends a disturbing message about the standards Americans hold for their leaders and the values the country should represent.

Moreover, we cannot ignore the potential impacts this guilty verdict could have on the upcoming election.

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Previous opinion polls indicated that a significant number of Republicans and independents would reconsider their support for Trump if he were found guilty in a criminal trial. This verdict could sway the votes of tens of thousands of individuals in crucial battleground states, ultimately influencing the outcome of the election.

Our society needs leaders to be held accountable for their actions and uphold the principles of fairness and justice.

Allowing a convicted felon to run for president creates a dangerous precedent, eroding the American people’s faith in the country’s institutions and the rule of law. I urge lawmakers and citizens alike to address this constitutional loophole.

Americans must re-evaluate the qualifications and criteria necessary for someone to hold the highest office in the nation, ensuring that ethical standards and integrity are at the forefront of the country’s decision-making process.