{"id":380977,"date":"2025-05-31T11:12:33","date_gmt":"2025-05-31T09:12:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=380977"},"modified":"2025-05-31T11:12:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-31T09:12:35","slug":"who-knew-trump-tariffs-good-for-environment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=380977","title":{"rendered":"Who Knew? Trump Tariffs Good for\u00a0Environment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"723\" height=\"413\" data-attachment-id=\"380993\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=380993\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_0457-1.png?fit=1344%2C768&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1344,768\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_0457\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_0457-1.png?fit=723%2C413&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_0457-1.png?resize=723%2C413&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-380993\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_0457-1.png?resize=1024%2C585&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_0457-1.png?resize=300%2C171&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_0457-1.png?resize=768%2C439&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_0457-1.png?resize=1200%2C686&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_0457-1.png?w=1344&amp;ssl=1 1344w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From <a href=\"https:\/\/rclutz.com\/2025\/05\/29\/who-knew-trump-tariffs-good-for-environment\/\">Science Matters<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/rclutz.com\/author\/ronaldrc\/\">Ron Clutz<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"554\" height=\"392\" data-attachment-id=\"380979\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=380979\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-608.png?fit=554%2C392&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"554,392\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-608.png?fit=554%2C392&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-608.png?resize=554%2C392&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-380979\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-608.png?w=554&amp;ssl=1 554w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-608.png?resize=300%2C212&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 554px) 100vw, 554px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Melanie Collette explains a surprising and irgnored result from the trade maneuvers in her Real Clear Energy article&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.realclearenergy.org\/articles\/2025\/05\/29\/trumps_tariffs_might_be_the_green_policy_nobody_saw_coming_1113272.html\"><strong>Trump\u2019s Tariffs Might Be the Green Policy Nobody Saw Coming.<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp; Excerpts italics with my bolds and added images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>For all the buzz about \u201cgoing green,\u201d much of the&nbsp;<strong>technology touted by the Green Left<\/strong>&nbsp;to move our nation to \u201cNet Zero\u201d \u2014 specifically solar panels and EV batteries \u2014&nbsp;<strong>comes from places<\/strong>&nbsp;where the sky is&nbsp;<strong>choked with smog and rivers run with industrial waste<\/strong>.&nbsp; And while these same critics often dismiss Donald Trump\u2019s tariffs as economic saber-rattling, in reality, the&nbsp;<strong>President\u2019s policies carry significant and underappreciated environmental benefits.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Tariffs are an unlikely ally in the fight against pollution<\/strong>:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u2666&nbsp; They incentivize domestic production;<\/em><br><em>\u2666&nbsp; tighten environmental standards, and<\/em><br><em>\u2666&nbsp; hold foreign manufacturers accountable for environmental negligence.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>In a world where environmental goals often live on paper but die in execution,<strong>&nbsp;tariffs provide real leverage.<\/strong>&nbsp;They shift&nbsp;<strong>incentives in the right direction<\/strong>&nbsp;without depending on lengthy negotiations, uncertain compliance, or idealistic assumptions about global unity.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"723\" height=\"536\" data-attachment-id=\"380981\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=380981\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-609.png?fit=1500%2C1112&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1500,1112\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-609.png?fit=723%2C536&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-609.png?resize=723%2C536&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-380981\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-609.png?resize=1024%2C759&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-609.png?resize=300%2C222&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-609.png?resize=768%2C569&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-609.png?resize=1200%2C890&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-609.png?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-609.png?w=1446&amp;ssl=1 1446w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em><strong>Tariffs as Environmental Filters<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>By imposing tariffs on imports from countries with looser environmental regulations, Trump\u2019s trade policy incentivizes companies to<strong>&nbsp;manufacture domestically, where environmental protections are stronger and enforcement is more robust.<\/strong>&nbsp;Critics call it economic nationalism, but the reality is more nuanced: the policy functions as an ecological safeguard,&nbsp;<strong>reducing reliance on countries like China<\/strong>, which is ranked as the<a href=\"https:\/\/aqli.epic.uchicago.edu\/country-spotlight\/china\/\">&nbsp;13th most polluted nation in the world.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>China\u2019s dominant production of rare earth elements (REE)<br>has led to significant environmental degradation.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The Bayan Obo mine, one of the world\u2019s most significant REE sources, has been associated with&nbsp;<strong>extensive soil and water pollution.<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/hir.harvard.edu\/not-so-green-technology-the-complicated-legacy-of-rare-earth-mining\/\">Reports&nbsp;<\/a>indicate that the mining process yields substantial amounts of&nbsp;<strong>waste gas, wastewater, and radioactive residue,<\/strong>&nbsp;contaminating local ecosystems and posing health risks to nearby communities.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>And here\u2019s something most people overlook \u2014 when manufacturing stays&nbsp;<strong>closer to home, it\u2019s easier to track environmental violations and enforce rules<\/strong>. Transparency skyrockets when the EPA, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies are just a phone call away, not an ocean apart.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"615\" height=\"615\" data-attachment-id=\"380983\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=380983\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-611.png?fit=615%2C615&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"615,615\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-611.png?fit=615%2C615&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-611.png?resize=615%2C615&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-380983\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-611.png?w=615&amp;ssl=1 615w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-611.png?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-611.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-611.png?resize=600%2C600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-611.png?resize=400%2C400&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-611.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-611.png?resize=450%2C450&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-611.png?resize=60%2C60&amp;ssl=1 60w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-611.png?resize=550%2C550&amp;ssl=1 550w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>This diagram shows the origin of the metals required for meeting the 2030 goals. The left side of the diagram shows the origin, based on today\u2019s global production of metals. The right side shows the cumulative metal demand for wind and solar technologies until 2030. From study showing tonnage of Dutch demand only.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Trump\u2019s administration is also leveraging<a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/fact-sheets\/2025\/04\/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-ensures-national-security-and-economic-resilience-through-section-232-actions-on-processed-critical-minerals-and-derivative-products\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">&nbsp;<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/fact-sheets\/2025\/04\/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-ensures-national-security-and-economic-resilience-through-section-232-actions-on-processed-critical-minerals-and-derivative-products\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act<\/a>&nbsp;to impose&nbsp;<strong>tariffs on foreign processed minerals<\/strong>. The goal? Reduce foreign dependence and&nbsp;<strong>revive domestic production of critical materials<\/strong>&nbsp;like rare earth elements, essential<strong>&nbsp;for clean tech and defense.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The result is a renewed focus on<strong>&nbsp;U.S.-based mining and processing<\/strong>, offering<strong>&nbsp;a cleaner, more transparent alternative<\/strong>&nbsp;to<a href=\"https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/earth-talks-outsourcing-greenhouse-china\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">&nbsp;<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/earth-talks-outsourcing-greenhouse-china\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">China\u2019s pollution-heavy rare earth industry<\/a>. A stronger domestic rare earths sector is a win for national security and the environment.&nbsp;<strong>Environmental accountability increases<\/strong>&nbsp;when these materials are mined and processed under U.S. regulation.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"690\" data-attachment-id=\"380986\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=380986\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-613.png?fit=600%2C690&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"600,690\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-613.png?fit=600%2C690&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-613.png?resize=600%2C690&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-380986\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-613.png?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-613.png?resize=261%2C300&amp;ssl=1 261w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em><strong>The Dirty Truth Behind \u201cClean\u201d Tech<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Let\u2019s be honest:<strong>&nbsp;outsourcing green tech<\/strong>&nbsp;to countries with weak environmental laws&nbsp;<strong>doesn\u2019t eliminate emissions, but does outsource them<\/strong>. This phenomenon, known as \u201cpollution leakage,\u201d erodes the benefits we claim to pursue.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>While the West celebrates progress in so-called green energy, producing those \u201ceco-friendly\u201d goods is often carried out in developing world factories. More than that, this behavior&nbsp;<strong>masks the real cost of green technologies<\/strong>. Products may seem \u201ccheap\u201d to consumers, but their environmental impact \u2014 from polluted rivers to toxic waste \u2014 remains largely unaccounted for.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"723\" height=\"745\" data-attachment-id=\"380988\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=380988\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-614.png?fit=932%2C960&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"932,960\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-614.png?fit=723%2C745&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-614.png?resize=723%2C745&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-380988\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-614.png?w=932&amp;ssl=1 932w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-614.png?resize=291%2C300&amp;ssl=1 291w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-614.png?resize=768%2C791&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Trump\u2019s tariff strategy encourages manufacturers to source from countries with higher environmental standards or bring production back home. Case studies show that<strong>&nbsp;reshoring delivers<a href=\"https:\/\/arxiv.org\/abs\/2406.05950?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">&nbsp;economic and environmental benefits<\/a>,<\/strong>&nbsp;especially in energy and heavy industry sectors.<strong>&nbsp;Cleaner supply chains<\/strong>&nbsp;begin with better accountability, which tariffs are uniquely positioned to provide.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>When production happens domestically, enforcing environmental controls, adopting green manufacturing processes, and implementing<strong>&nbsp;technological innovations<\/strong>&nbsp;like low-emission machining are easier. However, these advancements are&nbsp;<strong>often out of reach for foreign suppliers<\/strong>&nbsp;focused solely on cost-cutting.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"723\" height=\"496\" data-attachment-id=\"380989\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=380989\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-615.png?fit=1009%2C692&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1009,692\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-615.png?fit=723%2C496&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-615.png?resize=723%2C496&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-380989\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-615.png?w=1009&amp;ssl=1 1009w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-615.png?resize=300%2C206&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-615.png?resize=768%2C527&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em><strong>Global Environmental Agreements: Big Promises, Weak Results<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The mainstream media heralded the Biden administration\u2019s return to&nbsp;<strong>multilateral climate agreements<\/strong>&nbsp;like the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/climatechange\/paris-agreement\">&nbsp;Paris Accord<\/a>&nbsp;as \u201d planet-saving,\u201d but<strong>&nbsp;real-world results have been underwhelming.<\/strong>&nbsp;These international frameworks lack enforcement, largely exempt the biggest emitters, and allow countries to manipulate statistics to validate their progress in achieving their commitments.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Trump\u2019s policies emphasize&nbsp;<strong>sovereignty<\/strong>, which&nbsp;<strong>doesn\u2019t mean ignoring the environment.<\/strong>&nbsp;Using trade policy to reinforce domestic environmental protections proves the two priorities are compatible.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Environmental stewardship<\/strong>&nbsp;doesn\u2019t require surrendering control to global institutions. Sometimes it just&nbsp;<strong>requires enforcing the rules at home \u2014 and setting an example others can\u2019t ignore.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em><strong>A Practical Path Forward<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>As the U.S. continues to navigate complex environmental and economic challenges, tariffs can be part of the solution.&nbsp;<strong>President Trump\u2019s tariffs protect jobs and the environment, even if critics fail to notice<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Rather than relying solely on lofty international promises, we should consider<strong>&nbsp;practical tools,<\/strong>&nbsp;like tariffs, that&nbsp;<strong>create real accountability, cleaner production, and stronger domestic resilience.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>In an era of performative climate politics,&nbsp;<strong>tariffs<\/strong>&nbsp;might just be the&nbsp;<strong>unexpected, effective piece<\/strong>&nbsp;of environmental policy&nbsp;<strong>we\u2019ve been missing<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"723\" height=\"459\" data-attachment-id=\"380991\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?attachment_id=380991\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-616.png?fit=800%2C508&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,508\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-616.png?fit=723%2C459&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-616.png?resize=723%2C459&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-380991\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-616.png?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-616.png?resize=300%2C191&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-616.png?resize=768%2C488&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 723px) 100vw, 723px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>China\u2019s dominant production of rare earth elements (REE)<br \/>\nhas led to significant environmental degradation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121246920,"featured_media":380993,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[691835479,691835478,691835476,691818154,691835480,691835477,691835481],"class_list":{"0":"post-380977","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"category-uncategorized","8":"tag-chinas-pollution-heavy-rare-earth-industry","9":"tag-clean-tech-and-defense","10":"tag-donald-trumps-tariffs","11":"tag-net-zero","12":"tag-paris-accord","13":"tag-rare-earth-elements-ree","14":"tag-solar-panels-and-ev-batteries","16":"fallback-thumbnail"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/IMG_0457-1.png?fit=1344%2C768&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paxLW1-1B6N","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":439239,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=439239","url_meta":{"origin":380977,"position":0},"title":"Weaponizing Rare Earths: How Beijing\u2019s Controls Target U.S. Technological Edge","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"13\/04\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The suspension of China\u2019s October 2025 export controls (Announcements 55\u201358, 61\u201362) ends on November 10, 2026. The April 2025 controls on medium\/heavy REEs (dysprosium, terbium, etc.), magnets, and related items remain in force but are currently administered permissively via \u201cgeneral licenses\u201d for civilian end-users.","rel":"","context":"In \"China\"","block_context":{"text":"China","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=china"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-Weaponizing-Rare-Earths-How-Beijings-Controls-Target-U.S.-Technological-Edge.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-Weaponizing-Rare-Earths-How-Beijings-Controls-Target-U.S.-Technological-Edge.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-Weaponizing-Rare-Earths-How-Beijings-Controls-Target-U.S.-Technological-Edge.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-Weaponizing-Rare-Earths-How-Beijings-Controls-Target-U.S.-Technological-Edge.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/0-Weaponizing-Rare-Earths-How-Beijings-Controls-Target-U.S.-Technological-Edge.jpg?fit=1168%2C784&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":388948,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=388948","url_meta":{"origin":380977,"position":1},"title":"First U.S. Rare Earth Mine In 70 Years Opens In Wyoming","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"15\/07\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Wyoming marked a historic milestone with the ceremonial opening of the Brook Mine near Ranchester\u2014the first rare earth element (REE) mine in the United States in 70 years, and the first new coal mine in the state in nearly five decades. The event, attended by federal and state officials as\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Brook Mine\"","block_context":{"text":"Brook Mine","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=brook-mine"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image-431.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image-431.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image-431.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/image-431.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":328074,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=328074","url_meta":{"origin":380977,"position":2},"title":"Wind Turbine-related Radiation","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"12\/05\/2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The amazing conclusion is that over the lifetime of a wind project (20 years), wind energy produces more radioactive waste per MWH than a nuclear facility!","rel":"","context":"In \"Chinese rare earth industry\"","block_context":{"text":"Chinese rare earth industry","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=chinese-rare-earth-industry"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/0721-F2-1-1920x1280-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/0721-F2-1-1920x1280-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/0721-F2-1-1920x1280-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/0721-F2-1-1920x1280-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/0721-F2-1-1920x1280-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":396440,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=396440","url_meta":{"origin":380977,"position":3},"title":"Leveraging Michigan\u2019s Assets as an Economic Growth Catalyst","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"20\/08\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The\u00a0One Big Beautiful Bill\u00a0(OBBB) cuts red tape and trims taxes on new resource projects. It simplifies rules, clarifies costs, and enforces swift penalties. These reforms reduce investor risk and shorten the timeline from testing to production. As a result, the legislation will be able to reshape many state\u2019s natural resource\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Great Lakes\"","block_context":{"text":"Great Lakes","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=great-lakes"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0AQOhoUoCCDmLHPJZ2yEe69xXTK5amAfexm_dwDdFOcrUSoDlOH1AkDduwjfJEjmuWJdRf34TnWwO1iqlTFpmL77TeyyfMlMOeKPYMNG7WWY0uJwqrMqLpZtVPcJASN9CeQ2B5aeoEbJFpG-180IAroYsD1HI-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0AQOhoUoCCDmLHPJZ2yEe69xXTK5amAfexm_dwDdFOcrUSoDlOH1AkDduwjfJEjmuWJdRf34TnWwO1iqlTFpmL77TeyyfMlMOeKPYMNG7WWY0uJwqrMqLpZtVPcJASN9CeQ2B5aeoEbJFpG-180IAroYsD1HI-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0AQOhoUoCCDmLHPJZ2yEe69xXTK5amAfexm_dwDdFOcrUSoDlOH1AkDduwjfJEjmuWJdRf34TnWwO1iqlTFpmL77TeyyfMlMOeKPYMNG7WWY0uJwqrMqLpZtVPcJASN9CeQ2B5aeoEbJFpG-180IAroYsD1HI-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0AQOhoUoCCDmLHPJZ2yEe69xXTK5amAfexm_dwDdFOcrUSoDlOH1AkDduwjfJEjmuWJdRf34TnWwO1iqlTFpmL77TeyyfMlMOeKPYMNG7WWY0uJwqrMqLpZtVPcJASN9CeQ2B5aeoEbJFpG-180IAroYsD1HI-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0AQOhoUoCCDmLHPJZ2yEe69xXTK5amAfexm_dwDdFOcrUSoDlOH1AkDduwjfJEjmuWJdRf34TnWwO1iqlTFpmL77TeyyfMlMOeKPYMNG7WWY0uJwqrMqLpZtVPcJASN9CeQ2B5aeoEbJFpG-180IAroYsD1HI-1.jpeg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":228790,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=228790","url_meta":{"origin":380977,"position":4},"title":"Green energy is a big lie","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"12\/11\/2022","format":false,"excerpt":"There are 17 rare earth elements existing namely, scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium.","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/0cleanenergy.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/0cleanenergy.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/0cleanenergy.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/0cleanenergy.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/0cleanenergy.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":411698,"url":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=411698","url_meta":{"origin":380977,"position":5},"title":"Rare earth minerals, etc. from China \u2026 or the USA?","author":"uwe.roland.gross","date":"05\/11\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Yet that\u2019s essentially how America has handled the metals and minerals that are vital to our defense, medical, communication, automotive, aerospace, lasers, computer\/AI\/data centers, and every other sector of our economy. They are worth multi-trillions of dollars and are the foundation for jobs, living standards, national security, \u201cgreen\u201d energy and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"China\"","block_context":{"text":"China","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?tag=china"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AQP1WkdspIlsuHbfjerIbUfMposlQPxrsckHwhsUSRNPXF-wWY_rdAOMriD_SWixFHmEqpPrhQXN3_Vcdi84w76T73P55anMf8S03Eu7mYCKDxoIJ59564R3Ogoea_7a.jpeg?fit=1200%2C484&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AQP1WkdspIlsuHbfjerIbUfMposlQPxrsckHwhsUSRNPXF-wWY_rdAOMriD_SWixFHmEqpPrhQXN3_Vcdi84w76T73P55anMf8S03Eu7mYCKDxoIJ59564R3Ogoea_7a.jpeg?fit=1200%2C484&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AQP1WkdspIlsuHbfjerIbUfMposlQPxrsckHwhsUSRNPXF-wWY_rdAOMriD_SWixFHmEqpPrhQXN3_Vcdi84w76T73P55anMf8S03Eu7mYCKDxoIJ59564R3Ogoea_7a.jpeg?fit=1200%2C484&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AQP1WkdspIlsuHbfjerIbUfMposlQPxrsckHwhsUSRNPXF-wWY_rdAOMriD_SWixFHmEqpPrhQXN3_Vcdi84w76T73P55anMf8S03Eu7mYCKDxoIJ59564R3Ogoea_7a.jpeg?fit=1200%2C484&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/climatescience.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AQP1WkdspIlsuHbfjerIbUfMposlQPxrsckHwhsUSRNPXF-wWY_rdAOMriD_SWixFHmEqpPrhQXN3_Vcdi84w76T73P55anMf8S03Eu7mYCKDxoIJ59564R3Ogoea_7a.jpeg?fit=1200%2C484&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/380977","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/121246920"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=380977"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/380977\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":380995,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/380977\/revisions\/380995"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/380993"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=380977"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=380977"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=380977"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}