Trump threatens to scrap emissions regulations for cars in the US

Donald Trump could scrap the legislation that requires manufacturers to produce low-emission vehicles, with the aim of benefiting the market.

The incoming US president intends to boost the competitiveness of the automotive sector without taking into account the health and environmental impact.

Donald Trump has wasted no time in acting on the car industry. The incoming US president intends to scrap the legislation that requires manufacturers to produce low-emission cars. Because petrol prices are so low in the US, American consumers are not as attracted to the idea of an efficient vehicle as Europeans are. For this reason, manufacturers are calling for less restrictive pollution standards in order to offer their customers what they demand.

The Wall Street Journal quotes John Mashburn, a senior Trump adviser, as saying the following:

“The Trump administration will carry out a complete review of federal regulations. This review will include range and emissions standards to ensure that no harm is being done to American consumers or workers. It is important to remember that this programme was introduced to reduce our country’s dependence on foreign oil, not with the aim of regulating global warming. Mr Trump will focus on creating jobs, including in the manufacturing sector.”

It is worth mentioning that Trump will not only occupy the Oval Office but will also control the Senate and the House of Representatives. This strong Republican control could make it easier to revise legislation on matters such as car emissions.

What repercussions could this measure have on health? Could the resulting increase in pollution cause more deaths in the US? Cars and trucks account for a fifth of US pollution. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), seven million deaths a year are due to air pollution. “Cleaning the air we breathe prevents the development of non-communicable diseases and also reduces the risk of illness among women and vulnerable groups, such as children and the elderly,” says Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General for Family, Women’s and Children’s Health.

On the other hand, what economic impact would more polluted air have? Would the increase in pollution raise healthcare spending and therefore economic costs? As Michael Brauer, a professor at the University of British Columbia in Canada, says in an article: “In the United States, we know that every dollar spent on improving air pollution yields between $4 and $30 in benefits thanks to the reduction in health impacts.”

There is no doubt that Trump’s proposal could bring great benefits to the North American car industry. The question is whether this measure will cause serious health and environmental repercussions.