The Language of Opposing China
Someone get Elissa Slotkin off the ground if you see her, please.
A few weeks ago I became irate on Instagram because a Michigan Senator, Elissa Slotkin made what I thought was a truly insane statement that led to a lot of press coverage on the 24 hour news networks. She said she would "lay down on the border* to keep Chinese vehicles from entering the U.S." I considered re-watching the clip but the tone was so aggravating that I’ll let you just google that yourself if needed.
I voted for Slotkin so I filled out a little form on her website to give feedback about my feelings that the US should sell Chinese-made electric cars. Then I tried to let it go.
I did not.
For one thing, since the tariffs, BYD the most well known and biggest Chinese automaker has been running ads all over Singapore. Ads on busses, pop up ads, Instagram ads. There were already a lot of BYD cars on the road here, but I see them even more recently. Clearly they are going to compensate for what is going in the US and, wisely, diversify the customer base throughout Asia. So now every time I see a BYD, which is several times a day, I picture it running Elissa over.
Her fault not mine! Choose your words wisely.
Above, a BYD add from the UK.
Slotkin is trying to get a bill passed that bans Chinese vehicles from the US. To be clear, they are currently not being sold in the US but they would provide more affordable and environmental options to US consumers. Slotkin used to work for the CIA, so I do expect her to be on the more paranoid/suspicious side when it comes to China. And that is partially warranted... But the tone she is setting with this bill and the language she is using is insulting and will definitely be seen as an escalation to the Chinese at the time when both countries need to turn the temperature down.
Adding to her beef with Chinese cars, she says they are “dirt cheap,” thanks to subsidies. That this should be a reason to oppose them just does not hold up for me. For one, China subsidizes food and healthcare, and quite frankly it the humane thing to do and the US should give it a try. As a result, workers don’t need to lose their entire paychecks to these basic and expected expenses. But in addition, yes, wages in China are lower. THEY HAVE A BILLION (1.4B) PEOPLE! From a supply and demand perspective there is just no competing with their unlimited supply of labor in a communist country. They are also incredibly efficient and good workers!
Slotkin is a Democrat, but she is playing into a very Trumpy argument: that the US can only get ahead by punishing China. Trump has also been saying that tariffs will bring jobs back to the US, but this also doesn’t make any sense. I am sure Slotkin is under a lot of pressure from Michigan voters to re-create high wage blue collars jobs, but those were lost to automation as much as China (and Mexico). I'm am actually pretty surprised this whole auto tariff thing is happening at all, because I can tell you first hand from my time in Shanghai that Mr DOGE, aka Elon, makes a ton of Teslas in China. I actually thought he would be the voice of reason to put a stop to this. What world are we even living in anymore?
More on Elon’s ties to China here.
Slotkin is not wrong that data privacy is an issue in cars. She is simply wrong to single out China. This is an issue in US cars as well. I think we should know by now from Meta/Facebook that US companies having all your data is not a great idea! If her policy was a uniform data privacy policy for all cars everywhere I would get that. I would also understand asking China to modify the data collection on US-bound products in return for the rights to sell there. I think car buyers would truly be pleased. (I am mostly thinking of myself who does need to buy a US car next year, but I stand by that sample size of one).
Anti-China anything seems to play well with the Trump-base of voters, a group Democrats need to swing in Michigan. She’s trying to align with Trump without aligning with Trump and suggest we can bring auto jobs back to Michigan, which won’t work anyway, by just focusing on the potential for China to spy on the US. Meanwhile the US is spying on China. This is expected.
What I find even more frustrating is this is almost identical to the Tik Tok ban that fell apart, was revived, and now seems dead? Note to lawmakers: Don’t focus only on one aspect of one Chinese product in order to secure data. Regulate American and foreign products equally. As we will see soon, if not already, these factories just move to India and Vietnam (where I am finally visiting next week) and other lower cost of production areas. Singling out China doesn’t make any sense. You’ll just have to re-do the whole thing when Tik Tokers mover to Red Note, so to speak.
Speaking of reciprocation and spying, a comedy intermission:
But assuming for a minute I could get on board with Slotkin’s bill as is. Why the aggressive language? Is this bill about getting back at China, or is it about improving the lives of Americans? Cost of living and middle class job loss are huge issues. If it was me, I would lean into the housing shortage and subsidize** training for electricians, plumbers, and HVAC professionals, as well as build out a pre-fab housing industry. Build something that is not a car, and let the workers drive a BYD to work (with the data tracking disabled!)
I say that with respect for Slotkin and anyone who runs for office and if she would like to discuss it further, her office has my email!
*Obviously, China does not SHARE a border with the US. I think she should have said she would lay down at a port? They are not driving them over from Canada, which does border Michigan.
**Yes, like China does. It is a good idea to subsidize the things you want to encourage.