China expert Gordon Chang reveals the hidden dangers of the Chinese electric vehicle industry that could harm the US automotive sector, introduce new surveillance methods to potentially spy on Americans, and exploit slave labor to fuel its growth.
The Dark Side of Chinese Auto Industry
Chang, a senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute and author of "The Coming Collapse of China," discussed with Fox News Digital the many risks he sees stemming from China's significant entry into the electric vehicle market.
The expert's message coincides with recent developments showing that the Chinese electric vehicle company BYD has surpassed EV giant Tesla in production for the second consecutive year, manufacturing over 3 million vehicles in 2023 compared to Tesla's 1.84 million. Despite not entering the American market yet, BYD has dominated the global EV market by offering its clean energy and hybrid vehicles at lower prices than its competitors.
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China's "Extremely Predatory" Practices
Chang cautioned that the rapid growth is fueled partially by extremely predatory business tactics described as "trade violations" that could oversaturate the market and potentially lead to the loss of manufacturing jobs in Western countries.
China manufactures 60% of the world's EVs and produces 10 million more cars annually than its domestic market can accommodate. Consequently, it exports these surplus vehicles, leading to market saturation worldwide. Chang noted that the Chinese government significantly boosts EV production, providing an unfair advantage over economically responsible countries, which could potentially jeopardize American companies. Chang also pointed out that China's subsidies for EVs are three to four times larger than those in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, indicating a significant trade violation and predatory behavior.
China has demonstrated a pattern of untrustworthiness in trade relations with the US through decades. Despite the admission to the World Trade Organization, China has openly violated its commitments in pursuit of dominating all manufacturing capacity, potentially leaving no room for American manufacturers. Chang acknowledged that the notion might seem extreme, but it is what China desires. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the power the US holds to thwart such ambitions, highlighting that it is their country and they possess the ability to intervene.
Potential Data Collection Through Chinese Evs
Chang also addressed additional concerns arising from the expanding Chinese EV market, particularly regarding spying and data collection on Americans and citizens globally, suggesting that Chinese vehicles, including EVs, could potentially be utilized for gathering information. Chang emphasized the necessity of preventing China from collecting information from the United States through any means, with other experts in the auto industry echoing the same apprehensions.
Auto expert Mike Caudill has previously told Fox News Digital that Chinese EVs might be outfitted with highly advanced spying technology, allowing them to access sensitive locations such as military bases, power plants, and cellphone towers. Caudill suggested that EVs could serve as more efficient data collection tools than traditional methods like spy balloons and at a lower cost, as American consumers would purchase them.
Potential Slave Labor in Chinese EV Manufacturing
Chang also highlighted the issue of slave labor in producing Chinese EVs and other products. He pointed out that many components used in manufacturing these vehicles, including solar panels, are made using forced and slave labor, which he deemed as entirely unacceptable. Chang emphasized that Americans should not support the economic growth of a nation that is generally hostile towards them and stressed the importance of prioritizing American manufacturing at this juncture.
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