This Brookings conversation with Ryan Hass and panelists Michael Dunne, Michael Davidson, and Kate Logan, argued that the United States faces a policy choice between excluding Chinese clean energy investment to reduce security and dependency risks and selectively allowing it to support deployment, affordability, and competitiveness. Existing U.S. policy has become a fragmented mix of tariffs, investment screening, FEOC rules, and other regulations, creating uncertainty for firms and policymakers. Michael Davidson highlighted that these risks differed substantially by technology and should not be treated with a one-size-fits-all approach; he pointed in particular to clearer concerns around bulk grid control and connected vehicles, while warning that excessive barriers could slow solar and battery deployment, raise costs, and complicate resource adequacy for the grid. Overall, the discussion suggested a calibrated framework for technologies and risks that uses targeted guardrails—such as ownership limits, licensing models, data localization, security review, and diversification incentives—rather than a simple allow-or-ban approach.
Brookings project on Chinese investment and America’s clean energy future