The Biden administration’s warning about additional tariffs on China indicates that tense relations will continue, regardless of the election outcome.
Last week, President Joe Biden visited Pennsylvania, urging increased tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum products.
Senior officials suggest further action against China is imminent this election season, Reuters reported.
Recently, the administration launched an investigation into China’s efforts to control the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors.
Experts predict that the outcome of the investigation, along with a review of Trump-era trade policies, will lead to additional tariffs on Chinese imports, the report said.
Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington, criticized the US tariffs as examples of unilateralism and protectionism, Reuters said.
“Many U.S. trading partners, including China, are strongly dissatisfied with the United States’ frequent reliance on national security, nonmarket behavior, overcapacity, and other reasons to impose restrictions and politicize trade issues,” he said. Pengyu said in a statement.
The Biden administration’s move to raise tariffs this week signals a tough stance on trade, in line with Biden and Trump’s strategies for the 2024 elections, especially in rust belt states.
If Trump returns to the White House, he would aim to implement 10% import tariffs and phase out Chinese imports such as electronics and steel over four years.
It also seeks to ban Chinese ownership of US energy and technology infrastructure, the report added.
“China is inevitably being dragged into what is likely to be a somewhat chaotic cycle. And I think really, right now, we’re just seeing the beginning of that,” said Allen Carlson, a Cornell University professor and expert on U.S.-China relations, Reuters added.
White House officials have denied political motivations, although Biden highlighted the steel tariffs in a speech to Trump United States Steel Company X union headquarters in Pennsylvania.
They cited concerns about Chinese exports undermining U.S. industries such as solar and electric vehicles, fueled by China’s growing manufacturing trade surplus as the economy slows, Reuters added.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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