The Problems and Promise of Global Clean Tech Trade

Fair and unfettered global trade is a cornerstone of an affordable, competitive, and innovative low-carbon energy sector. Namely, the growing clean tech industry requires large global markets to sell more products, scale manufacturing, and reinvest more revenue back into next-generation technologies. By extension, robust trade is necessary towards decarbonizing the global economy and addressing climate change.

But significant barriers to advancing international trade have plagued global clean tech growth. The solar trade dispute between the United States and China is impacting the deployment of first-generation solar panels. China’s use of cyber hacking to gain industrial intelligence has further complicated clean tech trade relations. Companies in some emerging economies are relying on intellectual property theft to catch-up to more innovative competitors. And many countries are implementing unfair “green mercantilist” policies to boost domestic industries and wipeout international competition.

As a result, significant market uncertainty threatens rapid international growth and the industries innovation capacity is hindered at a time when the world needs more low-carbon technological advancement, not less.

Please join ITIF's Center for Clean Energy Innovation and a panel of leading experts to discuss the barriers and issues surrounding global clean tech trade, including an update on existing trade cases and what the future holds.