The "overcapacity theory" actually questions China's new rhetoric
September 20, 2024 11:29 Source: "China Social Sciences Journal" Issue 2980, September 20, 2024 Author: Our reporter Bai Le

As a representative of green products in the new energy industry,China’s “Three New Things” in Foreign Trade—Electric Vehicles、Lithium battery、Photovoltaic products,Very popular around the world, especially in Europe,Won the wide favor of consumers。However,Recently, some Western media politicians have frequently hyped the "overcapacity theory"。U.S. Treasury Secretary Yellen has repeatedly talked about the so-called "overcapacity" problem in China's new energy industry。The U.S. government also announced in May 2024 that on the basis of the original 301 tariffs on China,Further increase support for electric vehicles imported from China、Lithium battery、Tariffs on photovoltaic cells and other products。Look at the details,The United States will increase tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to 100%、Tariff on solar cells increased to 50%、Tariff on lithium batteries increased to 25%。To explain the source and context of the discourse trap of “overcapacity theory” from an economic perspective,Our reporter interviewed Anthony Moretti, associate professor of the Department of Communication and Organizational Leadership at Robert Morris University in the United States。Moretti said,Continuous improvement of production capacity is a necessary stage for emerging industries,But this stage does not necessarily lead to “overcapacity”,The Chinese government is also not happy to see “overcapacity”。The "overcapacity theory" hyped by some Western media and politicians has a strong color of trade protectionism,Violates the basic principles of economics。Pass and Technology、Related to great power competition in security and other fields,The "overcapacity theory" has become the latest rhetoric used by Western powers to question China's development model。

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One of the manifestations of the "overcapacity theory" is that some Western politicians claim that Chinese government subsidies have led to "overcapacity"。For example,In a speech, U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Jim Champ accused China of "overcapacity" stemming from "over-investment and extensive support from the Chinese government"Bet365 app download ,Saying that China’s industrial subsidies are about 5% of GDP,This ratio is 10 times that of countries such as the United States。

Talking about this,Moretti first analyzed the definition of "overcapacity" in the mouth of Western politicians。He told reporters,Literally speaking,“Overcapacity” means that the industry’s production capacity is saturated and exceeds social needs,Ultimately resulting in a structural imbalance where supply exceeds demand。History,The United States and other Western countries are investing in coal、Steel、Such problems have occurred many times in shale gas and other fields。In these countries,When some emerging industries emerge,It seems that we will always go through a painful and unavoidable "capacity reduction" stage。However,From today’s reality,This economic phenomenon does not appear in China’s new energy field。Today,Chinese electric vehicles and other new energy products continue to sell well in many Western countries,The potential demand for such products in many developing countries is still huge。In other words,In the international market,The current supply of China’s new energy products is still less than the demand,In other words, China’s new energy production capacity is far from saturated。

Moretti then analyzed and said,We cannot simply attribute “product parity” to “government subsidies”,We cannot simply equate “high production capacity” with “saturated production capacity”。New energy industry is an emerging industry,Determine whether its production capacity is excess,Should be based on enterprise capacity utilization、Inventory levels and profit margins are standard。Some media such as Bloomberg once pointed out,The capacity utilization rate of the vast majority of China's top automobile manufacturers is at an internationally recognized normal level。According to the arguments of those who hold the "overcapacity theory",It seems that no country should produce more products than its domestic market can accommodate。"Then,According to this standard,As questioned by some international people,Should Boeing reduce production?Should U.S. soybean farms limit production?"Moretti asked。

In Moretti’s opinion,Some Western media and politicians are hyping up the "overcapacity theory" and linking it with "government subsidies",Reflects the "double standards" bet365 Play online games logic of some Western powers。Follow this logic,Western powers’ subsidies are “vital industrial investments”,Other countries’ subsidies are “worryingly unfair competition”。In fact,In recent years,Some Western powers continue to introduce policies and measures,Support the development of the country’s new energy industry。For example,November 2021,U.S. President Biden signed the "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" (also known as the "Bipartisan Infrastructure Act"),Pledge of $7.5 billion to build electric vehicle charging infrastructure。August 2022,Signed the "Chip and Science Act" again,Provide approximately US$52.7 billion in financial support and tax and other preferential policies to US chip manufacturers,And requires companies that receive U.S. subsidies to manufacture chips in the United States。April 2023,The U.S. government released the details of the "Inflation Reduction Act",Announced the list of electric vehicles that can receive subsidies。

Moretti added,From the academic point of view of economics,There is no necessary connection between government subsidies and overcapacity。A country’s endowment includes many factors,For example, natural endowment and institutional endowment,The subsidy has the initiative、Elements of flexibility,Does not necessarily lead to market distortion。In fact,Any country wants to develop an emerging industry,Government subsidies will be provided in the initial stage。Subsidies are a common method used by governments to promote enterprise development,It conforms to the basic laws of industrial development in modern countries,Not related to weakening free trade or monopoly markets。

 The performance of artificially constructed market barriers by Western powers

Since the late 1970s and early 1980s,Neoliberalism dominates the economic policies of Western powers such as the United States,This is highlighted by advocating laissez-faire、Free Trade。Some scholars pointed out,Today,Some Western powers attribute their export of products with comparative advantages to other countries to "free trade",However, other countries’ exports of products with comparative advantages to the global market are called “overcapacity”,This is undoubtedly a biased perception。

To this,Moretti agrees very much。He explained it from the perspective of the concept of "free trade",Propose “free trade” bet365 best casino games to emphasize liberalization、Marketization、Privatization as a feature,Usually the default relationship between Merchant A and Merchant B is absolute competition。However,Too much emphasis on “free trade” can easily lead to the trap of “oversimplification”,Leading to a radical view of market competition,That is, amplifying competition among market entities,Believe that the "prominence" of a certain merchant in the market must be at the expense of the "loneliness" of other merchants,The existence of some merchants may disrupt、Breaking the original market order - this perception is undoubtedly biased。

Moretti said,When focusing too much on the benefits that “free trade” brings to market entities,Market barriers are easily established artificially,To prevent specific products from entering specific market spaces。The "overcapacity theory" is a manifestation of the artificial construction of market barriers by Western powers,The purpose is to eliminate the possibility of Chinese products standing out in the European and American markets。According to the logic of Western powers,If every country considers not or less “exporting production capacity” to other countries,Reduce export volume,Even “doing business behind closed doors”,Then it is impossible to talk about the "liquidity" and "openness" that the market should have,This is contradictory to the "free trade" theory promoted by Western powers。

 China’s green industry has comprehensive competitive advantages

Based on relevant data from the International Energy Agency (IEA),Global new installed capacity of renewable energy will reach 510 GW in 2023,Solar photovoltaics account for three quarters。2023,China leads the world in renewable energy installed capacity growth,China’s newly installed wind energy capacity increased by 66% over the previous year,China’s newly installed solar photovoltaic capacity is equivalent to the global new installed solar photovoltaic capacity in the previous year。The agency’s estimate,Renewable energy will usher in a period of rapid growth。In the context of the faltering world economic recovery,China’s green industry, represented by the solar photovoltaic industry, has gradually become a new engine of world economic growth。

To this,Moretti especially agrees。He thinks,current,Intensifying downward pressure on the world economy、The global climate bet365 best casino games crisis is getting worse,The pursuit of green and low carbon has become the trend,The global development of electric vehicles is in the ascendant。China is no exception。However,A fact that must be faced is,From a global perspective,The amount of solar power infrastructure is still insufficient to meet demand。In this context,The world needs China’s clean energy technology to meet challenges。Moretti said: "In view of this,It is almost impossible for China’s new energy products to have excess production capacity。”

Moretti also pointed out,The advantage possessed by China’s new energy industry and other green industries is a comprehensive competitive advantage,It is the result of the law of the market,It is also an advanced technology formed by long-term research and development、Improving industrial supporting facilities、Hyperscale market、The result of enriching human resources and other factors。Electric cars produced in China are proving to be smarter than many gas-guzzling conventional cars、Environmental protection。

"Now,People are witnessing China producing thousands of cheap primary products from the early days of reform and opening up、Raw materials and intermediate products,Towards the depth of producing high added value、Transformation of green processing products。Behind this change,The hard work of many Chinese workers,It also brings together the wisdom of China’s decision-makers。However,Some Western developed countries deliberately exaggerate the rising price trend of Chinese products,But turn a blind eye to the quality optimization of Chinese products。Is China excellent at creating affordable high-end products that are sought after by the global market?Facts proved,The answer is yes。Consumers are automatically attracted to products they like,This is in line with market rules。Consumers must want the most affordable price,Buy the best quality and green products。If the products produced in China bring about what the United States calls a ‘price shock wave’ (fluctuations caused by eye-popping high prices),And consumers’ ‘shopping excitement’ disappears as a result,Then Chinese products will not sell well in many European and American countries。"Moretti said。

 Bullying rhetoric using academics as a "cloak"

Some international observers pointed out,The "overcapacity theory" is essentially a bullying rhetoric using academics as a "cloak",It is a pan-politicization of economic and trade Bet365 lotto review issues such as production capacity、Performance of pan-security。The "overcapacity theory" hides the fact that the development of electric vehicles in Western countries such as the United States is slowing down。To stimulate people’s enthusiasm for buying electric cars,The United States has set itself the goal of “building 500,000 public charging piles by 2030”,However,According to U.S. Department of Energy estimates,Currently there are only about 16 in the United States.80,000 public charging piles。Behind this number,Is the huge gap between the ideals and reality of the American electric vehicle industry。

Moretti talks,Due to lack of qualified labor and other reasons,Relevant labor unions in the United States have always been cautious and conservative about the electric vehicle industry。“The United States could have made similar market decisions as China,Shift the industrial focus from the powerful old traditional automobile industry to the electric vehicle industry。However,In reality,The United States did not choose to do this。Perhaps out of disdain,Maybe due to arrogance,Maybe it’s because of ignorance,Maybe it’s just plain fear。All of this has led to the United States today becoming a victim of short-term thinking,Gradually at a disadvantage in electric vehicle production。”

Moretti then explained,The "overcapacity theory" involves the "selfish mentality" in international relations。This kind of psychological belief,If you can’t become a “winner”,Then take action to prevent others from becoming "winners",Concrete actions include erecting tariff barriers and taking other restrictive measures。These measures often use some seemingly persuasive "rhetoric" and "speech skills" as excuses,For example, the recent "overcapacity theory"。Now China is already a global leader in the new energy industry,However, the United States is unwilling to admit the fact that it is falling behind in the fields of electric vehicles and solar cells。When a country realizes that it is falling behind in international competition、In a weaker position than before,Or when faced with the frustration of being unable to change reality,Protectionist ideas and measures can easily follow。

In Moretti’s opinion,Over the past thirty years,Western powers have always held a contradiction、Hesitant and incoherent psychology towards China。On the one hand,These countries realize China’s market advantages,Hope to continue to strengthen cooperation with China,bet365 live casino games Don’t want to be “decoupled” from the Chinese market。As we can see,These Western powers have opened up multiple cooperation channels,For example, establishing a high-level dialogue mechanism,Trying to fully benefit from China’s huge domestic market。On the other hand,Some Western powers intend to contain China’s rise,Especially eager for China’s economy to decline,To this end, we built a "high wall in the small courtyard"、Manufacturing chip alliance and other actions。

Moretti concluded: "In fact,The United States and other Western powers believe it from the bottom of their hearts,China’s booming economy will only bring benefits to the world economy,Instead of damage。What a pity,In reality,When China’s economy is slightly emerging or showing an upward growth trend,Among some Western politicians,Optimism will turn into pessimism,Decisions based on short-term views will also follow。In comparison,At the advent of a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation,The term "new productive forces" proposed by China is not only of great significance to China's domestic industries,It will also bring valuable opportunities for industrial transformation around the world, especially in developing countries。”

Editor: Zhang Jing
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