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cover of episode When Chinese manufacturing met Small Town, USA

When Chinese manufacturing met Small Town, USA

2025/6/6
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Planet Money

AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
A
Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi
一名在《The Indicator from Planet Money》中活跃的经济新闻记者和主持人。
C
Chuck Thalen
J
Jim Chapman
L
Lori Brock
M
Marjorie Steele
T
Tim Nugent
V
Viola Zhou
Topics
Jim Chapman: 作为Green Charter Township的负责人,我一直致力于为社区带来经济发展。当得知国轩高科计划投资数十亿美元在我们这里建立电池工厂时,我认为这是一个千载难逢的机会,可以创造数千个就业岗位,并重振当地经济。我完全没有预料到这个项目会引发如此激烈的争议,甚至撕裂整个社区。 Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi: 美国政界长期以来都在提倡制造业回流,并为此提供了各种激励措施。然而,当一家中国公司真正响应这些号召,试图在美国小镇建立工厂时,却引发了一场关于我们到底想要什么样的工厂的政治风暴。这场风暴揭示了全球经济与地方民主之间的复杂关系。 Viola Zhou: 中国政府通过强有力的产业政策,大力推动电动汽车产业的发展。国轩高科受益于这些政策,迅速成长为一家大型电池制造商。为了拓展国际市场,并规避可能的关税,国轩高科决定在美国建立工厂,成为美国制造的一部分。然而,这一计划在美国却遇到了意想不到的阻力。 Lori Brock: 我是当地的房地产经纪人和马匹饲养员。当我得知国轩高科计划在我们镇上建立大型工厂时,我感到非常担忧。我担心工厂会对环境造成污染,影响我们的生活方式。更重要的是,我认为这家中国公司可能与中国共产党有关联,会对美国的国家安全构成威胁。因此,我组织了一场抵抗运动,反对国轩高科在我们这里建厂。 Marjorie Steele: 我对国轩高科的工厂能否真正为当地带来高质量的就业岗位表示怀疑。我担心这些工作岗位的工资和福利都很低,而且工作环境恶劣。此外,我还担心工厂会对当地的水资源造成污染,影响我们的健康。我们这里的大多数人,无论多么贫穷,都不想在五年内看不到太阳,同时还在积累资历,挣着低于维持生计的工资。 Chuck Thalen: 我是国轩高科负责在美国建立工厂的负责人。我坚信这个项目能够为当地带来经济繁荣,并为当地居民提供财务稳定的机会。我们致力于与社区合作,确保我们的项目符合最高的环保标准。我想帮助2000个陌生人能够追求我们中的一些人已经能够实现的财务稳定。 Tim Nugent: 作为Mentino的前市长,我非常自豪能够帮助国轩高科在我们这里建立工厂。我相信这个项目能够为当地带来就业和投资。然而,我也理解一些居民对这个项目感到担忧。我希望我们能够通过对话和合作,找到一个对所有人都最有利的解决方案。一些国轩高科的员工已经决定不搬到曼蒂诺,因为害怕在超市里被骚扰,或者他们的孩子在学校里被欺负。

Deep Dive

Chapters
The episode begins by introducing Jim Chapman, the deputy supervisor of Green Charter Township in Michigan, who unexpectedly becomes the town supervisor after his friend and boss passes away. A major Chinese battery manufacturer, Gotion, expresses interest in building a $2.4 billion factory in the town, promising over 2,000 jobs. Initially viewed as an economic boon, this opportunity will later create deep divisions within the community.
  • Jim Chapman's unexpected ascension to town supervisor
  • Gotion's proposed $2.4 billion factory
  • Promise of 2,000+ jobs
  • Initial optimism and later unforeseen conflict

Shownotes Transcript

Over the past decade, politicians from both parties have courted American voters with an enticing economic prospect – the dream of bringing manufacturing and manufacturing jobs back to America. They've pushed for that dream with tariffs and tax breaks and subsidies. But what happens when one multinational company actually responds to those incentives, and tries to set up shop in Small Town, USA?Today on the show – how a battery factory ignited a political firestorm over what kind of factories we actually want in our backyard. And what happens when the global economy meets town hall democracy. *This episode of Planet Money was produced by Emma Peaslee and Sylvie Douglis. It was edited by Marianne McCune and fact checked by Sierra Juarez. It was engineered by Robert Rodriguez. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer.Read Viola Zhou's reporting) on the Gotion battery factory.Find more Planet Money: Facebook) / Instagram) / TikTok) / Our weekly Newsletter).Listen free at these links: Apple Podcasts), Spotify),* the NPR app*) or anywhere you get podcasts.Help support Planet Money and hear our bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts) or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney).Music: NPR Source Audio - "Collectible Kicks," "Arturo's Revenge," and "Liquid Courage"*Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)