In a move to address “unfair competition,” U.S. President Joe Biden has called on the U.S. Trade Representative to consider tripling the existing tariff rates on steel and aluminum imports from China. This proposal aims to enhance American economic security by staunching the flow of underpriced goods, which the administration claims undermine domestic industries.
The current tariff on certain steel and aluminum products stands at 7.5%, but with the proposed increase, this could dramatically rise, reflecting a tougher stance against what the White House perceives as predatory pricing and environmental negligence by Chinese producers. The statement from the White House also highlights ongoing concerns about the global implications of China’s industrial practices, particularly in the shipbuilding sector, which face scrutiny for distorting competitive markets and promoting unsustainable environmental practices.
Additionally, the Biden administration is intensifying efforts to curb the circumvention of existing tariffs, especially through third countries like Mexico. A high-level team has been dispatched to Mexico to collaborate on strategies to enforce these trade laws more effectively.
This move builds on Biden’s broader trade and industrial policy, which has been characterized by significant investments in American infrastructure and manufacturing, aimed at revitalizing the domestic steel industry and securing the U.S. supply chains. 
