Biden to call for higher tariffs on Chinese metals in 'Steel City' Pittsburgh

WASHINGTON, April 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will call on Wednesday for sharply higher tariffs on Chinese metal products as part of a package of policies aimed at pleasing steelworkers in the swing state of Pennsylvania, at the risk of angering Beijing.

In campaign stops in the "Steel City" of Pittsburgh, Biden is expected to propose raising to 25% the tariffs imposed by his predecessor Donald Trump on Chinese steel and aluminum products, according to an administration official.

The products targeted currently face up to a 7.5% levy under a Trump-era policy under Section 301 of the U.S. trade law, which Biden ordered a review of in 2022.

The Biden administration is also pressuring Mexico to prohibit China from selling its metal products indirectly through the U.S. border country.

At the same time, it is launching an investigation into Chinese trade practices across the shipbuilding, maritime and logistics sectors, which could lead to more tariffs.

The measures, set to be unveiled as Biden visits the headquarters of the United Steelworkers union, will invite blowback from China at a time of already heightened tensions between the two biggest economies.

Trump's imposition of tariffs during his 2017-2021 presidency were followed by China retaliating with its own levies.

Pennsylvania is one of a half-dozen battleground states lik...
[Short citation of 8% of the original article]