this post was submitted on 10 Jul 2025
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[–] CosmoNova@lemmy.world 15 points 21 hours ago (3 children)

„Free market“? Speaking of hypocrisy. Chinese car brands are so heavily subsidized they probably cost the Chinese economy more than they make selling them at the moment. China is clearly trying to drown the global market with cheap cars so they can ramp up prices immensely once they have killed the competition and have become a monopoly. China hasn‘t been the extreme low income country to produce super cheaply for a long time and they couldn‘t produce cars this cheap in a free market situation.

Many countries and the EU have measures against such practices because state run operations with the sole purpose to destroy an industry (which this is) undermine the very idea of the free market or even trade relationships.

Alternatively we could start subsiding local car makers and play the same little game China is playing but more cars is honestly the last thing we need right now. Tariffs are a much smoother option to deal with this even when they have a bad rep.

Ideally we use that generated money from tariffs to subsidize public transport so we don‘t get cheaper cars but cheaper alternatives but that‘s still just a dream I‘m afraid.

Whatever the case, one should look at super cheap cars and what that means in the long run more critically.

[–] wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works 59 points 20 hours ago* (last edited 20 hours ago) (4 children)

Alternatively we could start subsiding local car makers

We have been. Bailout after bailout. For the longest fucking time, and have had insane trade rules and tarrigs in place for decades and decades. I'd argue this is what it looks like to have another country finally being able to play on a level playing field.

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 29 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

After the auto industry intentionally killed public transport.

The fact that one of the most powerful monopolies in the world went bankrupt and was forced to be bailed out by taxpayers more than once should really be a disqualifier for any future endeavors.

[–] witchybitchy@lemmy.world 6 points 14 hours ago

you accidentally forget to pay ur credit card minimum for one month and you're docked so many credit score points that you're ineligible for being given a loan.

but we bail out these megacorps time and again and just keep letting them operate like nothing's amiss

shit's borked (intentionally, to favor those with means)

[–] 418_im_a_teapot@sh.itjust.works 2 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

Is it a level playing field? In China workers rights are pretty non-existent and there’s no OSHA equivalent, at least not to the degree we have in the US. Then add in government subsidies, lower worker pay, reduced R&D costs because they pilfered the engineering from a US company, and you end up with a very lopsided market.

To be clear, I am in no way defending the US auto industry. They have little customer loyalty for a reason – low quality, overpriced, subscription dependent vehicles with terrible warranties, expensive service requirements, and invasive telemetry. They need more competition to force them to make more consumer-friendly decisions, but China is hardly a fair competitor.

[–] wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works 0 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

In China workers rights are pretty non-existent and there’s no OSHA equivalent, at least not to the degree we have in the US

How much maternity leave d'you get in the US? Cause in China it's a minimum of 90 days up to 180. And an extra 15~30 days of pat leave. Mandatory paid holiday? US: 0 China: 11. Sick leave? US: 0 China: months (at reduced rate). Vacation? US: 0, China: 1 to 3 weeks.

An employer that fails to allow an employee to take annual leave must pay that employee 300% of the employee’s daily wages for each unused vacation day

The work sfatey certainly remains an issue, like any developing country, but things are rapidly improving.

Efforts at work safety shall be oriented around people and reflect the principle of people first and life first, with top priority given to people's life safety. The philosophy of safe development shall be adhered to and the principles of safety first, prevention as the main target as well as comprehensive administration shall be followed to forestall and resolve major safety risks at the source.

http://en.npc.gov.cn.cdurl.cn/2021-06/10/c_786248.htm

Things aren't all roses in China, but y'all have to get off of your high horse when you know fuck all other than bland ass propaganda.

[–] IsThisAnAI@lemmy.world 2 points 18 hours ago

When was the second bailout? Or the first if you're referring to something older.

[–] BB84@mander.xyz 3 points 13 hours ago (2 children)

If something is being so heavily subsidized, the correct market response is to buy as much as possible, and resell once the prices ramp up.

Setting up tariffs and complaining about subsidies? 100% not the "free market" response. It's cope.

[–] InternetCitizen2@lemmy.world 3 points 12 hours ago

True, even Milton Friedman (barf) said we should be thankful if someone wants to subsides our lives. Besides these market extremists say all government intervention is bound to fail, so they should have nothing to fear letting the BYDs in. The socialist subsidy of BYD will collapse and we don't want the government distorting our market either.

This isn't really my personal take, but i like using their own logic to reach a conclusion they will hate.

[–] CosmoNova@lemmy.world 2 points 9 hours ago

Are you trying to be funny or something? Used electric cars aren‘t exactly going up in price. What a bunch of nonsense. Talking about cope.

[–] Tiger666@lemmy.ca 0 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

We have subsidized the big three many times, and they return nothing back. At this point, they should be nationalized.

You have a very simple way of looking at things and are part of the problem that is going on.

Your ignorance is showing. Tuck it in.

[–] CosmoNova@lemmy.world -4 points 17 hours ago

You tankies really have a way with words.