What happened?
- Biden plans to announce a new 15% tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum while campaigning in Pennsylvania.
- Biden will call for tripling the tariff rate on steel and aluminum imported from China, with the existing 7.5% tariff rate increased to a new higher rate.
- Biden visited Pennsylvania to address economic concerns and gather support, emphasizing his understanding of working-class struggles.
- The announcement will be made by U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai at the United Steelworkers’ headquarters in Pittsburgh.
- Biden has kept most of Trump’s tariffs in place, including the 25% tariff on steel and 10% tariff on aluminum, and plans to implement an additional 15% tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum under Section 301.
- Biden is on a campaign swing through Pennsylvania to pitch his economic program to voters, as the state is crucial in determining the outcome between Trump and Biden, with residents expressing concerns over rising prices and the overall state of the economy under Biden.
- The president will also announce a probe into China’s support for shipbuilders and related industries, and initiatives to prevent China from evading American steel tariffs by moving exports through Mexico.
What is Conservative media saying:
- Biden administration officials expressed concern over China’s policy-driven overcapacity and subsidies leading to exports flooding the US market at artificially low prices, undercutting American steel. (nypost.com)
- Despite good employment numbers, Biden faces challenges with inflation and high prices, and is accused of being too lenient on China. (washingtontimes.com, nypost.com)
- Trump’s trade war with China aimed to force a new trade pact but was stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic, and his tax cuts are criticized for primarily benefitting the wealthy. (nypost.com, washingtontimes.com)
What is Center media saying:
- The Biden administration agreed to provide $6.1 billion in government support for Micron Technology to produce advanced memory computer chips. (apnews.com)
- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer personally courted Micron to build four chip factories in Syracuse, signaling Democratic efforts to revive the manufacturing sector. (apnews.com)
- Micron plans to invest $100 billion in upstate New York over two decades, creating an estimated 9,000 direct jobs and 40,000 construction jobs. (apnews.com)
- The funding comes from the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act to support new and expanded facilities for various chip companies, enhancing domestic semiconductor production. (apnews.com)
- The Biden administration aims for 20% of the world’s advanced chips to be produced in the U.S. and has limited chip exports to China. (apnews.com)
What is Liberal media saying:
- Biden criticizes China’s economic challenges, including its aging population, lack of imports, and closed borders, and calls for major increases in tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum products to protect American industries and jobs. (businessinsider.com, nytimes.com, time.com)
- Biden plans to triple tariffs on steel and aluminum products from China to help American manufacturers and protect American jobs from unfair competition. (nytimes.com, nbcnews.com, theguardian.com)
- Biden aims to protect American workers and ensure fair competition, and he plans to increase tariffs on certain Chinese products, potentially up to 25 percent. (nytimes.com, businessinsider.com)
- Biden vowed to block the sale of US Steel to Japanese Nippon Steel, promoting American investment in the steel industry, as the metals industry provides over 120,000 jobs in Pennsylvania and significant economic output. (businessinsider.com)
- China’s exports have caused concerns in the U.S. and other nations for violating international trade laws. (nytimes.com)
Sources: - Business Insider
- AP News
- The New York Times – Biden Trump China Tariffs
- NBC News – China Slams US Probe
- The Guardian – Biden Tax China Steel
- Time
- The New York Times – Biden at USW
- CBS News – Triple Tariffs Chinese Steel
- New York Post – Biden New Tariff
- The New York Times – Biden Tariffs China Steel
- CBS News – Biden in Pittsburgh
- Fox News – Biden Criticism Pennsylvania
- NBC News – Biden Triple Tariffs
- The Washington Times – Biden Pennsylvania
- The Washington Times – Biden Triple Tariffs