Sichuan DKT Energy Technology Co., Ltd.( A subsidiary of Hydrexia (China))

　　The 5,800-page appeal is a grueling physical and intellectual undertaking for both its drafters and its readers. Yet the United Steelworkers of America has gone to great lengths in submitting this “volume,” filing a complaint against China for what it calls “protectionist and predatory measures” in support of its domestic clean-energy sector. The insidiousness of this approach lies in the fact that the United States recognizes the paramount importance of clean energy. Clean energy embodies America’s vision of leading the global economy in the 21st century; it fuels Europe’s aspiration to become the “new Middle East”; and it underpins the rise of developing countries like China. Whoever turns these dreams into reality will occupy the commanding heights of the future world. Recently, Europe and the United States—both leaders in core new-energy technologies—have observed that Chinese products are capturing an ever-larger share of the market, prompting the launch of a concerted campaign to contain China in the new-energy arena. As one Swedish scholar put it, when it comes to China’s role in the new-energy sector, Europe is a hypocrite while the United States is a true rogue; their ultimate goal is to keep China in check and seize the commanding heights of the global order.

　　China, the U.S., and Europe Stage a “New Energy Three Kingdoms”

　　On September 9, the United Steelworkers union formally submitted a 5,800-page complaint to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, alleging that China’s unlawful trade practices threaten the U.S. clean-energy industry. The complaint charges that both the central and provincial governments have subsidized domestic firms through land grants, low-interest loans, and a variety of other measures. According to the complaint, in order to dominate the global clean-energy sector, the Chinese government has provided massive subsidies to help Chinese companies expand their market share in wind-turbine manufacturing, solar-panel production, nuclear-power plant construction, and other clean-energy equipment, while simultaneously discriminating against foreign firms and products and restricting foreign companies’ access to critical raw materials. As a result, Chinese clean-energy firms have emerged as global leaders, whereas U.S. and European competitors have fallen into financial distress and been forced to lay off workers. Gilard, president of the United Steelworkers, stated: “Green jobs are vital to America’s future, yet China is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to control this industry—American manufacturers simply cannot afford to keep making further concessions.”

　　The United Steelworkers Union has clearly sought to take this case to the voters, thereby putting President Obama to the test—after all, he has urged Americans to build their own clean-energy industry. “The nation that leads the world in clean energy will lead the global economy in the 21st century, and the United States must be that nation!” On January 27 this year, in his first State of the Union address since taking office, President Barack Obama vowed to devote every effort to developing clean energy. In fact, since assuming office, President Obama has consistently pursued leadership in the emerging-energy sector. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allocated $43.35 billion for the development of clean, efficient energy sources, underscoring that the new-energy industry not only promotes national energy independence but also holds vast potential for job creation and economic restructuring. In September 2009, the National Innovation Strategy identified the development and application of new-energy technologies as a priority area for the nation’s future growth, with the U.S. planning to vigorously advance the new-energy industry over the next decade and comprehensively enhance America’s competitiveness in the global new-energy market.

　　Europe, the birthplace of the “green economy,” is naturally determined not to be left behind. In 2007, the European Commission unveiled a comprehensive energy package that designated the low-carbon economy as the direction for future development. EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger emphasized that the EU’s new energy strategy would spark a “new industrial revolution” across Europe. In March 2009, the EU announced that it would allocate €105 billion by 2013 to support the “green economy,” thereby maintaining the EU’s global leadership in low-carbon industries.

　　Although China started late in the field of new energy, it has since moved at the fastest pace. The country has also emerged as a global leader in the renewable-energy sector: China now leads the world in solar-panel production, with the vast majority of its output exported abroad. In wind power, too, China’s newly installed wind-capacity in 2009 ranked first globally. Yet this impressive performance is hardly surprising: in 2009, China invested US$34.6 billion in clean energy, making it the world’s largest investor in renewable energy.