President Biden on Tuesday defended his announcement to increase tariffs on Chinese imports, seeking to contrast his policies with those of former President Trump.
“My administration is combining investments in America with strategic and targeted tariffs. It’s a smart approach,” Biden said in the Rose Garden under cloudy skies. “Compare that to what the previous administration did.
“My predecessor promised to increase American exports and boost production. But he did neither. He failed. He signed a trade deal with China…instead, China’s imports from America have barely changed,” Biden continued. “And now Trump and his MAGA Republicans want across-the-board tariffs on all imports from all countries if they are re-elected.”
Biden was joined by union workers, business owners and lawmakers, including representatives from Michigan, as he implemented the tariffs.
The White House announced that tariffs on Chinese products would be phased in over the next three years, with sectors targeted in 2024 including electric vehicles (EV), solar cells, and steel and aluminum.
Government officials said tariffs will increase from 25 percent to 100 percent on imports of Chinese electric vehicles to offset Chinese export practices, which they told reporters “favor Chinese automakers over Chinese automakers and auto workers.” U.S. and other foreign markets are leading to a massive increase in unfairly undervalued Chinese vehicles in foreign markets.”
The administration will also double tariffs on Chinese imports of solar cells to 50 percent, officials said, a move aimed at countering Chinese dominance in global solar production, which currently comprises about 70 percent of the market.
Biden and his aides framed the move as an effort to protect American workers from unfair Chinese trade practices.
“In short, I want fair competition with China, not conflict,” he said on Tuesday. “And we are in a stronger position than anyone else to win this 21st century economic competition against China, because we are investing again in America.”
Officials in Beijing have vowed to respond to the new U.S. tariffs, although they have not outlined specifics. The move could increase tension in what has already been a frosty relationship between the US and China in recent years.
The move also drew criticism from some members of Biden’s own party. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) called the tariffs “horrible news for American consumers and a major setback for clean energy” in a post on the social platform X.
Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, frequently used tariffs during his first term, often leading other nations to impose similar taxes on American goods.
He has proposed a 10 percent tariff on all imports into the United States if he returns to the White House, a proposal that experts have warned could worsen inflation.
The Trump campaign on Tuesday dismissed Biden’s tariff hikes, calling them “too late.”
“The forgotten men and women know that President Trump is the only one who has been and will be tough on China,” spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
