Much-anticipated new tariffs also take aim at China’s solar cells, batteries, cranes, steel and aluminum
The Biden administration is hitting Chinese electric vehicles with new tariffs. In this photo, EVs waiting to be loaded on a ship are stacked at a port in China’s Jiangsu province last year.
President Joe Biden’s administration has rolled out its much-anticipated new tariffs targeting Chinese electric vehicles and other key products from that country.
A top Biden economic adviser, Lael Brainard, told reporters that the higher tariffs “will make sure that historic investments in jobs spurred by President Biden’s actions are not undercut by a flood of unfairly underpriced exports from China in areas like EVs, batteries, vital medical equipment, steel and aluminum, semiconductors and solar. ”
The move comes as Biden faces a close 2024 White House race against former President Donald Trump, who was known for his trade fights with Beijing. Trump in recent days has taken credit for Biden’s upcoming tariff announcement, saying the Democratic incumbent “listens” to him. Meanwhile, the Biden White House criticized Trump’s 2019 trade deal with China while rolling out its new tariffs, saying in a statement that the pact failed to increase American exports — and citing an independent study on that matter.
Below are details about the new tariffs aimed at Chinese products, which had been expected for several days to hit on Tuesday. Biden is expected to talk about the levies during a White House speech slated for 12:15 p.m. Eastern.
EVs: The tariff on Chinese electric vehicles will quadruple to 100% from 25%, according to the White House. There’s also an additional 2.5% duty for all automobiles imported into the U.S. already in place.
• Batteries and critical minerals: The tariff on lithium-ion EV batteries will increase to 25% from 7.5% this year, while the tariff on non-EV lithium-ion batteries will see that same rise but not until 2026, according to the White House. In addition, the tariff on battery parts is due to jump to 25% from 7.5% this year, and the levy on natural graphite and permanent magnets will jump to 25% from zero in 2026, but the rise will happen this year for certain other critical minerals.
• Solar cells: The tariff rate on solar cells, whether assembled into modules or not, will increase to 50% from 25%, the White House said.
• Semiconductors: The tariff on semiconductors is now slated to increase to 50% from 25% by 2025.
• Healthcare gear: The tariff on syringes and needles will rise to 50% from zero this year, according to the White House. For certain personal protective equipment, or PPE, including some respirators and face masks, the tariff rates are due to climb this year to 25% from zero or 7.5%, while tariffs on rubber medical and surgical gloves will rise in 2026 to 25% from 7.5%.
• Cranes: The tariff on ship-to-shore cranes is due to increase this year to 25% from zero. U.S. lawmakers have been highlighting security concerns over the technology in cargo cranes made in China.
• Steel and aluminum: The tariff rate on certain steel and aluminum products will increase this year to 25% from zero or 7.5%, according to the White House. Biden said a month ago that his administration could triple the tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum.
• What Biden officials are saying: Senior administration officials insisted that the new tariffs have nothing to do with politics, but instead result from a long-running review of Section 301 duties, which are named after a part of the Trade Act of 1974. Officials also maintained that the new levies are not inflationary and won’t lead to increased costs for Americans.