Hot air

We look at media comment on British Prime Minister David Cameron’s commitment to Turkish membership of the EU. We also look at comment on the upcoming US review of tax subsidies for renewable energy.

Turkish delight

During his visit to Ankara on Tuesday, 27 July, British Prime Minister David Cameron committed himself to fighting for Turkey’s entry into the EU. It was the right thing to do, but it didn’t cost Cameron much, writes the Financial Times. ...

Turkey is Europe’s biggest emerging economy. EU accession would deepen international security, boost European trade and anchor Turkey’s position at the crossroads between east and west. But however much Mr Cameron may rail on the issue, his efforts are largely rhetorical. French and German opposition to Turkey’s accession is so intense that little momentum can be expected soon. So for Mr Cameron to pose as Turkey’s champion is a pretty cost-free way of doing diplomacy. ...

Energy matters

The US congress will soon decide whether to continue federal tax subsidies for renewable energy which expire at the end of the year. It should renew those for wind, solar and geothermal energy, but end tax breaks for corn ethanol, write The New York Times. ...

The subsidies for wind, solar and geothermal energy are necessary to give these energy sources the help they need to compete with oil, coal and natural gas. While it renews those subsidies, Congress should end tax breaks for corn ethanol, which can stand on its own and is of dubious environmental benefit. ...

A 2007 energy law requires the country to produce steadily increasing volumes of corn ethanol,... which guarantees a robust market for farmers and producers of ethanol. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the price tag last year for the ethanol tax break was about $6 billion.

This money mainly benefits refiners and big farmers, and could be better spent elsewhere...