The president ordered an investigation into auto technology that could track U.S. drivers, part of a broader effort to stop E.V. and other smart-car imports from China.
“ In July 2023, Human Rights Watch wrote to BYD (China), General Motors (US), Tesla (US), Toyota (Japan), and Volkswagen (Germany) to obtain information about their efforts to map their aluminum supply chains and eliminate exposure to forced labor in Xinjiang. “
TBH, I don’t think that there’s any way to get away from labor abuses at some point in the supply chain, no matter how good the intentions are once you get to the US. I don’t just mean ‘no ethical consumption under capitalism’, but that GM et al. may be far enough removed from the companies that are mining bauxite that they really might not know what’s happening. Or, I dunno, maybe the company that makes the tools that the miners depend on to do the job efficiently is made with slave labor. Obvs. they should try to avoid companies that have abusive practices, I’m just not sure if it’s possible to ever get to 100%-human-rights-abuses-free production under a capitalist system.
Okay that was off the top of my head, but that doesn’t mean lithium mining isn’t harmful to both people and the planet, and that it won’t result in more exploitation and abuse as time goes on and demand for batteries grows. The location and specific mineral being mined doesn’t really matter. Human rights abuses arent the only thing to worry about, either. My sources focus on lithium, but just like coal mining and oil extraction; the lithium, cobalt, graphite, etc. mining that is necessary to support battery production is also extremely damaging to the environment.
I’m more concerned with Chinese cars possibly being built by forced labor and sold at less than cost.
This is not limited to just brands from China.
“ In July 2023, Human Rights Watch wrote to BYD (China), General Motors (US), Tesla (US), Toyota (Japan), and Volkswagen (Germany) to obtain information about their efforts to map their aluminum supply chains and eliminate exposure to forced labor in Xinjiang. “
https://www.hrw.org/report/2024/02/01/asleep-wheel/car-companies-complicity-forced-labor-china
TBH, I don’t think that there’s any way to get away from labor abuses at some point in the supply chain, no matter how good the intentions are once you get to the US. I don’t just mean ‘no ethical consumption under capitalism’, but that GM et al. may be far enough removed from the companies that are mining bauxite that they really might not know what’s happening. Or, I dunno, maybe the company that makes the tools that the miners depend on to do the job efficiently is made with slave labor. Obvs. they should try to avoid companies that have abusive practices, I’m just not sure if it’s possible to ever get to 100%-human-rights-abuses-free production under a capitalist system.
Not really a reason to give China even more money.
Don’t forget about all the lithium mining going on in Africa to create the massive batteries needed for these vehicles
You’re probably thinking of Cobalt. Which battery manufacturers have gotten away from for the reason you cite. Most Lithium comes from Australia.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/chart-countries-produce-lithium-world/
https://insideevs.com/news/372133/91-of-lithium-three-countries/
Okay that was off the top of my head, but that doesn’t mean lithium mining isn’t harmful to both people and the planet, and that it won’t result in more exploitation and abuse as time goes on and demand for batteries grows. The location and specific mineral being mined doesn’t really matter. Human rights abuses arent the only thing to worry about, either. My sources focus on lithium, but just like coal mining and oil extraction; the lithium, cobalt, graphite, etc. mining that is necessary to support battery production is also extremely damaging to the environment.
https://www.dw.com/en/lithium-mining-in-africa-reveals-dark-side-of-green-energy/a-67413188
https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2023/01/18/the-paradox-of-lithium/
https://www.mining-technology.com/analyst-comment/lithium-mining-negative-environmental-impact/?cf-view