This Policy Memo proposes a series of steps to help America seize a greater share of global clean energy trade. These steps include a national goal of doubling America’s share of clean energy trade by 2020, better coordination of U.S. clean energy export programs, new initiatives to promote exports by small and medium clean energy firms, and measures to defend the interests of U.S. clean energy exporters abroad and set new standards for expanded global trade in clean energy goods.
The United States has many strengths as a global clean energy competitor, yet we face a widening trade deficit in clean energy products. Our lack of smart and consistent domestic clean energy policies is a major cause of this inability to compete globally. However, U.S. clean energy exporters are also seriously disadvantaged internationally because the U.S. government does not do enough to attack foreign barriers to clean energy trade and does not promote U.S. exports in a coordinated and aggressive manner. This Policy Memo proposes a four-step national strategy to help U.S. clean energy companies and workers compete and win in the global market.
