President Donald Trump’s attempt to create U.S. jobs by taxing solar panel imports could backfire.
That’s according to the CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association trade group, who says it’s domestic workers that will feel the pain.
“We have been the fastest growing form of new energy...and this is putting the brakes on that crazy growth,” Abigail Ross Hopper told Cheddar in an interview. “These are not people who are looking for what nationality the company they work for is. They just want to feed their families and pay their mortgages. And those are the people whose jobs are at risk.”
Earlier this week President Trump signed a law that would impose a 30 percent tariff on imported solar panel and sells, a move the administration says will encourage domestic manufacturing.
But the SEIA says the vast majority of the 260,000 Americans employed in the industry work in peripheral industries like installation. Ross Hopper says the bill will result in 23,000 layoffs this year and delay or cancel billions of dollars of investment in the sector.
She also says it might dissuade U.S. consumers from going green.
“Most [businesses and consumers] want to choose solar because it saves them money,” she said. “This decision changes that calculus.”
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/solar-power-in-america).
On this episode of "This Changes Things" hosts Baker Machado and Brad Smith talk how President Trump's tariffs could negatively impact small businesses in America. Plus, how technology is changing the way business is measured.
President Trump is proposing a 25% tax on steel brought to the U.S., and a 10% tax on aluminum. The announcement sent the stock market into a tailspin. RNC Spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany says Americans should not be surprised by the move.
President Trump doubles down on tariffs, saying a trade war doesn't hurt us. Blackberry is suing Facebook. Amazon Prime's former Vice President is heading to Airbnb. Plus, we take a look at the business of marijuana on Cheddar's Cannabiz.
Cheddar's CannaBiz explores the latest trends, politics, and market opportunity in this space. Cheddar Anchor's Brad Smith, Hope King and Alyssa Julya Smith speak with legislators and start-up founders in this emerging market.
Marijuana businesses have undergone quite a makeover as more states adopt laws to allow medicinal and recreational use. Support to legalize marijuana is at record highs with 64 percent of Americans in support of legalization according to a Gallup poll. Cannabrand's Founder and CEO Olivia Mannix explains how the perception of this market has evolved.
Berkeley is the first city in the nation to become a sanctuary city for cannabis. Through a city council vote in February the group unanimously voted to prohibit any city agencies to use its resources to assist in enforcing federal marijuana laws. Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín explains how this legislation is impacting his city.
This Changes Things hosts Baker Machado and Brad Smith explain how small businesses will be impacted by Trump's proposed tariffs. Plus, why Nordstrom rejected a bid from the company's founding family.
Cheddar spoke with RNC spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany who said, before the news broke, that it's important for Republicans get behind the president's trade policies.
Jesse Arreguín, mayor of Berkeley, Calif., says that local police officers will not collaborate with the DEA to enforce federal drug laws. Arreguín shared advice for cities and states considering becoming "sanctuaries" for cannabis.
ESPN has a new president, following the abrupt resignation of its former president in December. The popular trivia app HQ has received an additional $15 million in funding. In other funding news, the insurance app Lemonade recently secured $120 million in Series C funding. And we're joined by iconic travel writer Rick Steves to hear about his new book, "Travel as a Political Act."
