I used to agree with that point of view, but I really don't...

I used to agree with that point of view, but I really don't anymore (re chicken and egg).

I think that OEMs and cell manufactures have had long enough to secure local graphite supply now. In 2020 and 2021 firms rightly requested exemptions because there was no local graphite, but in parallel they should have looked to secure local graphite. Any one of these firms could have backed Novonix to allow them to ramp up to meet their 2023/24+ anode needs, but they didn't. Instead they spent their time lobbying government for further exemptions.

If the exemptions continue to be applied the tariffs wont stimulate the creation of the robust local battery supply chain. The carrots haven't worked, now its time for the stick. Auto OEMs (legacy ones especially) are used to playing by their own rules, but the game has changed.

So yes, I agree with you that another large extension to the exemption would be bad. A few more months wouldn't be ideal but wouldn't be the end of the world.

e.g.
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/02/tesla-seeks-tariff-exemption-for-graphite-from-china-for-batteries.html