The U.S. was once the world’s leader in the production of solar power equipment, but over the years it ceded the majority of production to China. Now, as President Biden attempts to wean the U.S. from Chinese manufacturing domination, he mandated the country produce a percentage of solar panels stateside. China isn’t making it easy for him though; it is threatening to impose an export tax on key solar panel technology. But Straight Arrow News contributor Peter Zeihan explains that China’s lack of innovation in the sector combined with Biden’s crackdown on Beijing’s tech development gives the U.S. an opening.

Excerpted from Peter’s Feb. 1 “Zeihan on Geopolitics” newsletter:

As the U.S. attempts to reshore many previously outsourced industries, the Chinese are looking for any opportunity to retain their competitive edge… so let’s talk about solar panels.

China isn’t known for its grand technology or innovation, but through a mix of labor, security and scale, they have emerged as the dominant manufacturer of solar panels.

China’s not letting go of the reins anytime soon. So what will happen next… industrial espionage? Technology theft? One way or another, the U.S. is bringing solar home.