US-China Energy Competition and the Solar Race — Quill Robinson

11. 6. 2024

This episode of The IR thinker explores United States–China energy relations through the lens of the solar industry, examining how Chinese energy exports, tariffs and technological advances intersect with United States energy security and the global energy transition. The discussion with Quill Robinson considers environmental concerns around imported technologies, the role of international institutions and energy diplomacy, and emerging research agendas in this evolving field.

Quill Robinson

Quill Robinson is a senior programme manager and associate fellow with the Energy Security and Climate Change Programme at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, and a senior adviser with ConservAmerica. He previously served as vice president of government affairs at the American Conservation Coalition. Quill holds a BA in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Washington and an MA in Global Security Studies from Johns Hopkins University.

Publications:

The True Cost of Chinese Solar Panels

Content

00:00 - Introduction
02:47 - Chinese Energy Exports and Shifting Energy Geography
06:41 - US Energy Security and Its Link to China
09:32 - US Tariffs on Solar vs Investment in Solar Industry
11:24 - Competitiveness of the US Solar Industry
14:36 - US Support for Domestic Solar Panel Production
16:59 - Environmental Concerns about Imported Solar Panels
19:35 - Positive Implications of Sino-US Solar Panel Tariff Clash
24:15 - Lifespan Data of Solar Panels
25:59 - Chinese Battery Exports and Domestic Market
26:51 - US Progress in Energy Storage Installation
28:25 - China’s Position in US Energy Transition
30:17 - Impact of a 50% Tariff Increase on US Solar Panels
34:35 - Differences in Energy Transition Markets: US vs Europe
40:56 - Chinese Technological Advancements
45:21 - Role of International Institutions in Great Power Competition
47:42 - Potential for a Global Authority Regulating Energy Transition
49:10 - US Energy Diplomacy
53:48 - EU Energy Dependence on US LNG
59:10 - Recommended Research Areas