The president ordered an investigation into auto technology that could track U.S. drivers, part of a broader effort to stop E.V. and other smart-car imports from China.
“ In July 2023, Human Rights Watch wrote to BYD (China), General Motors (US), Tesla (US), Toyota (Japan), and Volkswagen (Germany) to obtain information about their efforts to map their aluminum supply chains and eliminate exposure to forced labor in Xinjiang. “
TBH, I don’t think that there’s any way to get away from labor abuses at some point in the supply chain, no matter how good the intentions are once you get to the US. I don’t just mean ‘no ethical consumption under capitalism’, but that GM et al. may be far enough removed from the companies that are mining bauxite that they really might not know what’s happening. Or, I dunno, maybe the company that makes the tools that the miners depend on to do the job efficiently is made with slave labor. Obvs. they should try to avoid companies that have abusive practices, I’m just not sure if it’s possible to ever get to 100%-human-rights-abuses-free production under a capitalist system.
This is not limited to just brands from China.
“ In July 2023, Human Rights Watch wrote to BYD (China), General Motors (US), Tesla (US), Toyota (Japan), and Volkswagen (Germany) to obtain information about their efforts to map their aluminum supply chains and eliminate exposure to forced labor in Xinjiang. “
https://www.hrw.org/report/2024/02/01/asleep-wheel/car-companies-complicity-forced-labor-china
Not really a reason to give China even more money.
TBH, I don’t think that there’s any way to get away from labor abuses at some point in the supply chain, no matter how good the intentions are once you get to the US. I don’t just mean ‘no ethical consumption under capitalism’, but that GM et al. may be far enough removed from the companies that are mining bauxite that they really might not know what’s happening. Or, I dunno, maybe the company that makes the tools that the miners depend on to do the job efficiently is made with slave labor. Obvs. they should try to avoid companies that have abusive practices, I’m just not sure if it’s possible to ever get to 100%-human-rights-abuses-free production under a capitalist system.
Don’t forget about all the lithium mining going on in Africa to create the massive batteries needed for these vehicles
You’re probably thinking of Cobalt. Which battery manufacturers have gotten away from for the reason you cite. Most Lithium comes from Australia.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/chart-countries-produce-lithium-world/
https://insideevs.com/news/372133/91-of-lithium-three-countries/