President Joe Biden underscored his record with labor union workers as he announced new, higher tariffs on Chinese imports, including a 100% rate on electric vehicles.
“I’m determined that the future of electric vehicles will be made in America by union workers,” Biden told a crowd on Tuesday in the White House Rose Garden.
Hurrying through his remarks, held under the threat of rain, Biden also criticized former President Donald Trump for his trade policy, contending Trump’s deal with China did not increase U.S. exports.
“Now, Trump and MAGA Republicans want across-the-board tariffs on all imports from all countries,” he said. “Well, that would drive up costs for families on an average of $1,500 per year each year. He simply doesn’t get it.”
The incumbent additionally countered Republican complaints that Biden’s proposals have workarounds, particularly through Mexico, and would actually raise consumer prices.
“Americas can continue to buy … notwithstanding what the other guy says, buy any kind of car they want, whether it’s gas or electric, or hybrid, but we’re never gonna allow China to unfairly control the market for these cars, period,” Biden said.
When asked by a reporter about Trump claiming that China has been “eating out lunch,” Biden responded: “He’s been feeding them a long time.”
The Republican National Committee, among others, has scrutinized Biden’s announcement as “an election year ploy,” arguing that if the president “was serious about protecting American jobs, he would repeal his electric vehicle mandate.”
“[Biden’s] announcement will have little effect on China, which already barely relies on the U.S. for its electric vehicle sales thanks to President Trump’s existing Section 301 tariffs,” RNC spokesman Jake Schneider told reporters.
The White House earlier announced Biden had directed U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to use Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to hike tariffs on $18 billion of imports from China. The new tariffs include rates from:
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“For too long, China’s government has used unfair, non-market practices,” the White House wrote Tuesday. “China’s forced technology transfers and intellectual property theft have contributed to its control of 70%, 80%, and even 90% of global production for the critical inputs necessary for our technologies, infrastructure, energy, and healthcare — creating unacceptable risks to America’s supply chains and economic security.”
“We will continue to work with our partners around the world to strengthen cooperation to address shared concerns about China’s unfair practices — rather than undermining our alliances or applying indiscriminate 10% tariffs that raise prices on all imports from all countries, regardless whether they are engaged in unfair trade,” the White House added. “The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes the benefits for our workers and businesses from strong alliances and a rules-based international trade system based on fair competition.”
