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).
Infighting is the theme at the White House this week. Jared Kushner and John Kelly are still at odds, and the globalists are going head to head with the nationalists on trade tariffs. The Young Turks' Francis Maxwell and CRTV's Nate Madden discuss the biggest stories in Washington in this week's edition of "Agree to Disagree."
Hollywood's biggest stars took on issues from DACA to gun control at the 90th Annual Academy Awards ceremony.
Amazon is in talks with some big Wall Street banks to launch a checking account geared towards its younger customers. Apple will reportedly unveil a cheaper MacBook Air and noise-canceling headphones later this year. Ashley Jenkins, host of Rooster Teeth's "The Know," joins us to talk about the alleged meeting between President Trump and video game makers. Plus, we're recapping the 90th annual Academy Awards with Bonnie Fuller, editor-in-chief at Hollywood Life.
Richard Wolf is campaigning to become the Democratic nominee for Texas House District 63 using social media and memes. He says the online community has really mobilized his party in his area.
The congressman told Cheddar that a plan to expand offshore drilling in his state puts 91,000 jobs at risk. McEachin says the bill has critics on both sides of the aisle.
Ashley Jenkins, host of '"The Know" on Rooster Teeth, discusses the White House's plans to have President Trump meet with video game developers about violent video games. But game makers say they have yet to receive any sort of invitation.
Michael Harriot, columnist for The Root, breaks down President Trump's decision to attend the annual Gridiron Dinner. Trump cracked jokes at the expense of the media, his own cabinet, and even the First Lady.
After the Parkland, Fla., shooting last month, the Trump administration said it wants to talk with video game makers about the levels of violence in their products. But several studies show there is no causal link between playing video games and behavioral changes, says Ashley Jenkins, Host of Rooster Teeth's "The Know."
The Dow closes the week down. Blackrock adds pressure on gun makers. Bitcoin and other digital currencies fall after the SEC issued dozens of subpoenas to investigate initial coin offerings.
With multiple investigations at state and federal levels, President Trump's son-in-law and senior advisor, is probably the next one to leave, says Political Consultant Rick Wilson.
