US Trade Representative Cautions Against Removing Trump-Era Tariffs on Chinese Imports

Kelly Song
By Kelly Song
June 23, 2022Business News
share
US Trade Representative Cautions Against Removing Trump-Era Tariffs on Chinese Imports
Trade Representative Katherine Tai attends a keynote address and conversation hosted by the Graduate Institute's Geneva Trade Platform about the World Trade Organizations important role in the global economy during her visit in Geneva, Switzerland, on Oct. 14, 2021. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai told the U.S. Senate on Wednesday that “the China tariffs are a significant piece of leverage,” while President Joe Biden is considering lifting some tariffs on Chinese goods to fight inflation.

The Trump administration imposed up to 25 percent tariffs on Chinese imports in 2018 and 2019, since an investigation concluded the Chinese regime engaged in excessive government subsidies, intellectual property theft, and other unfair trade practices.

Inflation measured by the consumer price index hit a 41-year high of 8.6 percent in May, according to the New York Federal Reserve’s survey results on June 13.

GettyImages-1400489921
President Joe Biden at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington on June 1, 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Biden said on June 18 that he would speak with Chinese leader Xi Jinping “soon,” and that his administration is considering lifting some tariffs on Chinese goods to curb inflation.

On June 19, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told ABC News that bringing down inflation is Biden’s top priority and that “the tariffs we inherited, some serve no strategic purpose and raise costs to consumers.”

yellen
Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen testifies during a hearing before Senate Finance Committee at Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 7, 2022. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

However, in testimony before a U.S. Senate Appropriations subcommittee, Tai said that removing tariffs would likely have a limited effect on controlling short-term inflation, and that “we need to be keeping our eye on the ball on this bigger picture,” which is protecting American trade interests against China’s plans to dominate important industries such as semiconductors.

Tai added that the Biden administration should focus on “converting this leverage into a strategic program that will strengthen American competitiveness and defend our interests in a global economy in which China will continue to play.”

“A trade negotiator never walks away from leverage,” Tai said.

Most likely, the Biden administration will not reach a decision before next week’s G-7 summit.

In retaliation to the 2018 tariffs, the Chinese regime also levied tariffs on tens of billions of dollars worth of U.S. imports.

Reuters contributed to this report.

From The Epoch Times

ntd newsletter icon
Sign up for NTD Daily
What you need to know, summarized in one email.
Stay informed with accurate news you can trust.
By registering for the newsletter, you agree to the Privacy Policy.
Comments