Biden: US-China ties at status quo

President Joe Biden has urged President-elect Donald Trump to reconsider his proposal to impose sweeping tariffs on North American neighbours Canada and Mexico, warning that such actions could harm US relationships with two of its closest allies.

Biden had previously avoided offering his views on the incoming administration’s plans, including Trump’s vows to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% tariff on all products coming into the US on the first day of his presidency unless they address illegal migration and fentanyl trafficking, Caliber.Az reports citing US media.

“I hope he rethinks it. I think it’s a counterproductive thing to do,” Biden said during a Thanksgiving Day visit to greet firefighters and police officers. “We’re surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and two allies, Mexico and Canada. The last thing we need to do is begin to screw up those relationships,” he added. “I hope they reconsider it.”

Trump, who won the November 5 presidential election and will be sworn into office on January 20, has vowed to impose a 25% tariff on all goods entering the US from Mexico and Canada on his first day in office unless the two countries take action against illegal migration and fentanyl trafficking.

He has also proposed an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports, citing Beijing’s alleged failure to stop drugs from flowing into the US. “Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% Tariff, above any additional Tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America,” Trump wrote on social media.

These measures have raised concerns about rising consumer prices in the US and potential diplomatic fallout. Biden suggested Trump’s plans could face internal scrutiny. “All the talk about what [Trump] is going to do or not do — I think there may be a bit of an internal reckoning on his part…so it remains to be seen,” Biden said.

Biden addressed concerns about the potential escalation in tensions with China, saying that US-China relations had reached a “status quo” under his administration. He expressed confidence in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s cautious approach.

“The one thing I’m confident about Xi is he doesn’t want to make a mistake. I mean it sincerely,” Biden said. “I’m not saying he is our best buddy, but he understands what is at stake.”

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has warned of retaliation if Trump follows through on his tariff threats. Over 80% of Mexico’s exports go to the US, and trade between the two countries reached $1.6 trillion in 2023 under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), according to US government data.

Trump and Sheinbaum recently spoke, with the president-elect describing their conversation as “very productive.” Sheinbaum said they discussed security collaboration and immigration, noting that her government is working to curb fentanyl smuggling and has prevented migrant caravans from reaching the US border.

Trump claimed Sheinbaum had agreed to stop migration through Mexico, but Sheinbaum denied this, stating that her government would address migration while respecting human rights.

Trump’s tariff strategy has reignited debate over the effectiveness of using economic sanctions to achieve foreign policy goals. During his first term, Trump frequently used tariffs to pressure countries into renegotiating trade deals or altering policies, with mixed results.

Many tariffs on Chinese goods imposed during Trump’s first term have remained in place under Biden. Trump’s renewed threats of economic penalties now place additional strain on relationships with Canada, Mexico, and China, three of the US’s largest trading partners.

By Tamilla Hasanova