Internet says Joe Biden 'trying to win points' with ultra-high China tariffs, a move Trump promised to make

WASHINGTON, DC: In an attempt to set himself apart from former President Donald Trump's policies, President Joe Biden justified his decision to slap higher tariffs on Chinese imports on Tuesday, May 14, according to The Hill.

Biden said at the Rose Garden, "My administration is combining investments in America with tariffs that are strategic and targeted. It’s a smart approach."

Joe Biden defends his decision to slap higher tariffs on Chinese imports

He added, "My predecessor promised to increase American exports and boost manufacturing. But he did neither. He failed. He signed a trade deal with China … instead China imports from America barely budged. And now Trump and his MAGA Republicans want across-the-board tariffs on all imports on all countries if reelected."

As Biden unveiled the tariffs, politicians, union members, and business owners—including officials from Michigan—joined him.

The White House declared that tariffs on Chinese imports will be phased in over the following three years, with the steel and aluminum, solar cells, and electric vehicles (EVs) sectors targeted in 2024.

Administration representatives informed reporters that to counteract Chinese export policies, duties on Chinese electric vehicle imports will rise from 25 per cent to 100 per cent adding they "favor Chinese automakers at the expense of US and other foreign automakers and autoworkers and are leading to a massive surge of unfairly underpriced Chinese vehicles into foreign markets."

According to authorities, the government intends to combat China's domination of the global solar manufacturing industry, which accounts for around 70 per cent of sales, by doubling taxes on Chinese solar cell imports to 50 per cent.

The action has been presented by Biden and his advisors as an attempt to defend American workers from unfair trade practices by China.

Biden said, "Bottom line, I want fair competition with China, not conflict. And we’re in a stronger position to win that economic competition in the 21st century against China than anyone else because we’re investing in America again."

Beijing has promised to react to the latest US tariffs, but they haven't provided any details. The action may exacerbate the tense relationship that has already developed recently between the United States and China.

Internet trolls Joe Biden as he defends higher tariffs on Chinese imports

Several internet users took aim at Donald Trump as he justified his decision to slap higher tariffs on Chinese imports. A user wrote on X, "Biden's new tariffs, a risky gamble, might throttle the industries they aim to protect" while one added, "The US will lose the solar energy technology market to China if it doesn’t want to compete and learn against China."

A person also stated, "Love it... You actually try to win Sleepy Joe some points by doing what Trump promised to do... You really can't make this up!" whereas one mentioned, "He is not the brightest bulb in the box."

A person also wrote, "Biden said this because it was written on his Teleprompter."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.