What’s Happening

President Biden spoke about American manufacturing, union jobs, and energy prices from the White House on Tuesday. The Biden Administration touted Tritium, an Australian electric vehicle charging station manufacturer which plans to open a plant in Tennessee. 

Why It Matters

From day one of the administration, President Biden has been a staunch supporter of electrifying the American transportation sector. Tritium’s new factory in Tennessee is significant for the administration because it shows that the President’s agenda is having a real impact on everyday Americans’ lives. 

My Take

While the president did mention innovative American companies, like the electric truck manufacturer Rivian, during his speech, the administration invited an Australian company to be featured in the press conference leaving us all thinking: “Where’s Elon [Musk]?” After all, Tesla revolutionized the American electric vehicle industry, but as a non-unionized company, it’s been but a footnote for the Administration. There is no shortage of American-made electric vehicles or infrastructure, yet the Administration outsourced their press conference to Australia.

Amid the supply chain crisis and historic inflation, the Biden Administration is doubling down on the importance of union jobs as the key to American manufacturing. In the now-tabled Build Back Better Act, this sentiment showed up again with tax credits only available to EV manufacturers whose workers are unionized. The progressive urge to couple climate issues with labor and social issues will always be a recipe for failure. 

Quote Me on It

President Biden is right that American entrepreneurs and manufacturers must be at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution. Yet, today, he placed an Australian company on the podium and nodded to the unions, which routinely stifle innovation. If President Biden wished to champion American innovation, he would have asked the CEO of Tesla, the largest EV company in the world, to join him on the stage.” – VP of Government Affairs Quill Robinson