industrial overlord

Chapter 721 Shallow Mountain Wind Farm

Regarding the Iran matter, Sisai was already powerless to complain.

After his predecessor Bush Jr. launched the Iraq war, he included Iran as the next target of attack.In order to curb the development of Iran, the United States has launched trade sanctions against Iran on the grounds that Iran is suspected of developing nuclear weapons. One of the most important ones is to restrict the export of refined oil to Iran.

It's funny to say that Iran is such a big oil country, but its oil refining capacity is pitifully weak.For a long time, Iran has been exporting crude oil abroad and importing refined oil products to meet domestic needs.After the US trade sanctions were launched, Iran really fell into a difficult situation. The limited annual import quota of refined oil was not enough for use. For a while, the price of domestic refined oil soared and smuggling became increasingly rampant, which had a serious impact on the national economy.

However, all of this suddenly changed at the end of last year.After three large oil refineries were put into operation one after another, Iran changed from a net importer of refined oil to a net exporter overnight. A large amount of foreign exchange originally used to import refined oil was also saved, and the economy showed a clear momentum of improvement.

What caused this change was three sets of refining equipment from China.The Americans brought the Europeans and the Japanese together to impose an embargo on Iran, but they gave up the opportunity to China in vain.The usual price of the three sets of oil refining equipment in the international market is less than US$10 billion, which Iran could not afford even if it wanted to spend US$20 billion. In the end, the Chinese realized Iran’s oil refining dream at a “low price” of US$15 billion.

For China's approach, the United States really has nothing to do.The United States is trying to pass a resolution on a trade embargo against Iran at the United Nations, but it cannot bypass China, a permanent member of the Security Council.As long as China casts a veto, all the efforts of the United States will be in vain.

After Xi Sai came to power, he followed his predecessor's policy of sanctions against Iran, but what he saw was that China and Iran were flirting with each other, exchanging needs and having fun.With the backing of a world factory like China, any trade sanctions will have no effect on Iran. The only effect is to block the way of American companies and completely push Iran into the arms of China.

Ford reminded Cisse to pay attention to the affairs of Iran, in fact, he hoped that he could change his thinking and stop engaging in such futile sanctions. There are still many American companies looking forward to earning some money in Iran.

"Ford, the sanctions against Iran must never be lifted." Sissey told Ford, "The values ​​of the United States determine that we cannot compromise with countries like Iran, and we cannot forget our responsibilities for the sake of immediate interests."

I bother!Ford cursed in his heart, the former big empire is now in debt, so what value is there to talk about.In order to maintain the face of the world's police, the United States has done too many thankless things, while other countries are making a fortune silently.To assume responsibility, one must have strength as a guarantee. Apart from bragging about its military strength, what other things does the United States have to offer?

"Mr. President, I think it is completely pointless to maintain the sanctions on Iran at present. Iran can get the products they need from other countries. In doing so, we are only blocking our own enterprises at the gate of Iran. It's nothing more than that, which is very detrimental to the recovery of the U.S. economy." Ford persuaded.

Sisai said angrily: "I know, the other countries you mentioned refer to China, right? Now China lacks oil, but Iran is rich in oil, so China uses various industrial products that Iran needs to exchange oil with Iran. I have been believes that allowing China to have developed industrial capabilities is the biggest mistake the United States has ever made."

As soon as this remark came out, all the staff members in the office lowered their heads, staring at their noses and hearts, pretending that they hadn't heard anything.Who doesn't know that Xi Sai also called for the lifting of trade restrictions on China, saying that China is a good trading partner of the United States.It can be said that this moment and that moment, when Sisay became president, the tone completely changed.

"Well, maybe we really need a diversified world. After all, China's development has also provided a broad market for our American companies, which is worthy of recognition." Xi Sai also knew that what he said was outrageous, so he quickly told himself Looking for a step down, "However, in any case, the United States must master the dominance of industry, and we must have the world's strongest industrial manufacturing capacity at all times, otherwise..."

Twain couldn't bear these empty words from Sisay anymore. He said bluntly: "Mr. President, with all due respect, it is very difficult for the United States to compete with China for the dominance of world industry. According to our incomplete statistics, before this year In the three quarters, China invested USD 140 billion in the clean energy industry. This is not counting the land obtained from local governments for free or at a low price by clean energy companies. However, our investment in clean energy is less than USD 50 billion. U.S. dollars, even this money, still has a considerable part not implemented. If things go on like this, we will be left behind by the Chinese.”

"Mr. Twain, can you tell me how far our clean energy industry has developed and whether we can maintain our absolute advantage over the Chinese?" Xi Sai asked.

"Absolute advantage?" Twain couldn't help but his teeth were cold. He knew that the United States still had some slight advantages over China in terms of clean energy technology, but the Chinese were catching up at a speed visible to the naked eye, while American companies were catching up because of All kinds of constraints and faltering.He feels that what needs to be considered now is how long the United States can maintain its advantage, not the issue of absolute advantage.

Although he thought so in his heart, Twain did not say it out. He suggested: "Mr. President, I think you'd better take some time to go and see for yourself and understand the demands of those private enterprises. Maybe this can be more It helps you make the right decisions ... I mean, make better decisions."

At least on the surface, Xi Sai is a kind person. Although he is very conceited in his heart, he will still listen to some suggestions from his staff.At the end of October of this year, accompanied by Twin, he came to Oregon in the western United States to inspect a small wind farm project called Qianshan that was being built there.

"This is Mr. Christo, the investor of Qianshan Wind Farm." Tewin introduced a dark-skinned little old man to Xi Sai.

"Hello, Mr. Crystal." Sissey bent half over, shook hands with Crystal, and said with a smile on his face.

"My current situation is very bad, Mr. President." Crystal looked like a piece of meat, and he didn't express anything about Sisai's pro-people show, and he only complained when he opened his mouth.

"Do you have any difficulties? Tell me, I think I will do my best to help you solve it." Xi Sai slapped his chest loudly. Isn't the purpose of his trip to help these clean energy companies solve their difficulties?If the other party has no difficulties, how can he show his value as a great president?

Christo pointed to a large wilderness behind him, and said: "Mr. President, look, this is the land I bought for the construction of a wind farm, but so far, have you seen a wind power plant? "

Nonsense, as an investor, Christo knows the best about whether there is a fan or not.Xi Sai looked around, but he didn't see any wind turbines, so he said with concern: "Mr. Christo, I didn't see any wind turbines. Has your project not started so far?"

"I have no funds," Christo said. "All my funds have been used to buy this land. The government promised to provide me with preferential loans, but so far, I have not seen a penny of loans." Yes. If I can't get these loans, I won't be able to build this wind farm, and then the money I spent on buying the land will be completely wasted. I remember you promised during the election to provide the best funding for clean energy projects. Strong support, and so far, neither I nor my colleagues have seen any substantive support."

"Mr. Twain, is the Qianshan Wind Farm one of the 18 companies that you mentioned applying for loans?" Xi Sai asked.

Twen nodded and said, "That's right. We provided him with a loan guarantee half a year ago, but no bank has been willing to invest in it."

"How could this be?" Sissai murmured, when he heard Twen tell him about this before, he was a little skeptical, but now seeing Christo's dejected face, he had to believe it .

Christo said: "Mr. President, since you are here in person, then I think you should be able to solve my problem? I don't need much investment, 2000 million to 3000 million US dollars is enough, I want to build It’s just a small wind farm of 40 megawatts. This money should be very easy for the US government to raise, right?”

"Yes, I think this money should be easy to get." Sissy replied awkwardly, but he knew very well in his heart that although he was a president, he was not capable of raising this money for Crystal. money.

"Mr. Crystal, I hope you will not give up. The development of clean energy is the unswerving direction of the United States. After I return to Washington, I will try my best to persuade the bankers to provide financial support to you and other wind power operators. As for yourself , but also to find a way. I think there will always be a way." Sisai said empty-handedly.

There was a mocking smile on Christo's face. He had heard enough of the promises of this kind of politician.

"Okay then, Mr. President, I wish you a pleasant journey." Crystal said to Sisai lightly.

The convoy that Sisai and the others were riding left in a mighty way. Christo looked at the dust that was fading away and shrugged his shoulders, expressing his disappointment with Sisai and the others.At this time, a clear female voice sounded behind him: "Mr. Crystal, you should believe it now, the US government cannot provide you with more support, I think it is your best choice to cooperate with us." choose."

(End of this chapter)