Biden Says He Won't Immediately Lift China Tariffs

The president-elect says he wants to maximize his leverage in future talks with the U.S.'s geopolitical rival.

President-elect Joe Biden at an event to introduce nominees and appointees to economic policy posts, The Queen theater, Wilmington, Del., Dec. 1, 2020.
President-elect Joe Biden at an event to introduce nominees and appointees to economic policy posts, The Queen theater, Wilmington, Del., Dec. 1, 2020.
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

President-elect Joe Biden says he wonโ€™t immediately lift tariffs placed by President Donald Trump on many imports from China or break Trumpโ€™s initial trade deal.

Biden says he wants to maximize his leverage in future talks with the United States' geopolitical rival.

Speaking to New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, Biden said, โ€œIโ€™m not going to make any immediate moves, and the same applies to the tariffs.โ€ Biden adds in Friedman's column published Wednesday: โ€œIโ€™m not going to prejudice my options.โ€

Under Trump, the U.S. and China engaged in a yearlong trade war that has been largely frozen since a Phase One deal was reached in January. While some industries have benefited from Trumpโ€™s protectionist policies, the policies have been largely panned by the business community and most experts โ€” and most of the cost of tariffs has been borne by American businesses and consumers.

Biden tells Friedman an early priority after his January swearing-in will be to restore relationships with allies to strengthen his negotiating position with China. Biden says key to talks with China is โ€œleverageโ€ and in his view "we donโ€™t have it yet.โ€

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