Biden to Propose Tripling Tariffs on Chinese Steel, Aluminum

PITTSBURGH, Pa.—President Joe Biden will propose on Wednesday a boost in tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from China, a move viewed as a strategic one to increase support among blue-collar voters for the 2024 election.

The president will ask the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to consider tripling the existing 301 tariff rate on Chinese steel and aluminum as part of a four-year review. He’s expected to announce this request during his visit to the United Steelworkers (USW) headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday.

The current average tariff on steel and aluminum is 7.5 percent under Section 301, according to the White House.

During his trip, the president will talk about actions he will take to help defend American steel and steelworkers, Lael Brainard, director of the White House National Economic Council, told reporters during a call on April 16.

“China cannot export its way to recovery. China is simply too big to play by its own rules,” she said. “In manufacturing sectors like steel, China’s already producing more than China or the world can easily absorb. China’s subsidies and other forms of support, lead to exports flooding global markets at artificially low prices, undercutting American steel.”

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