US-China Energy Competition and the Solar Race — Quill Robinson

This episode of The IR thinker explores United States–China energy relations through the lens of the solar industry, examining how Chinese energy exports, tariffs and technological advances intersect with United States energy security and the global energy transition. The discussion with Quill Robinson considers environmental concerns around imported technologies, the role of international institutions and energy diplomacy, and emerging research agendas in this evolving field.Quill RobinsonQuill Robinson is a senior programme manager and associate fellow with the Energy Security and Climate Change Programme at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, and a senior adviser with ConservAmerica. He previously served as vice president of government affairs at the American Conservation Coalition. Quill holds a BA in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Washington and an MA in Global Security Studies from Johns Hopkins University.Publications:The True Cost of Chinese Solar PanelsContent00:00 - Introduction02:47 - Chinese Energy Exports and Shifting Energy Geography06:41 - US Energy Security and Its Link to China09:32 - US Tariffs on Solar vs Investment in Solar Industry11:24 - Competitiveness of the US Solar Industry14:36 - US Support for Domestic Solar Panel Production16:59 - Environmental Concerns about Imported Solar Panels19:35 - Positive Implications of Sino-US Solar Panel Tariff Clash24:15 - Lifespan Data of Solar Panels25:59 - Chinese Battery Exports and Domestic Market26:51 - US Progress in Energy Storage Installation28:25 - China’s Position in US Energy Transition30:17 - Impact of a 50% Tariff Increase on US Solar Panels34:35 - Differences in Energy Transition Markets: US vs Europe40:56 - Chinese Technological Advancements45:21 - Role of International Institutions in Great Power Competition47:42 - Potential for a Global Authority Regulating Energy Transition49:10 - US Energy Diplomacy53:48 - EU Energy Dependence on US LNG59:10 - Recommended Research AreasFollow & Further ResourcesSubstack: https://theirthinker.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ir-thinker/X: https://x.com/irthinker_Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theirthinker/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theirthinker.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/irthinkerfb Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.