Biden Does Not Promise to Retain Section 232 Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden told the United Steelworkers trade union that a core part of his trade strategy “will be to enlist our international allies to collectively tackle unfair practices by China in order to ensure American steelworkers have good, plentiful union jobs. Trump has humiliated and infuriated our allies.”

In responding to an endorsement questionnaire, Biden did not directly answer whether he would retain Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum products. “I will review the existing 232 tariffs and any other tariffs that have been put in place to ensure our trade policies achieve the goal of supporting workers and growing our middle class, both now and in the long-term. We first need to carefully evaluate all of the steps taken by this Administration, including the private deals and assurances that may have been made,” he wrote.

He also said he intends to impose carbon adjustment tariffs or quotas on manufactured goods that have a high carbon cost if they're coming “from countries that are failing to meet their climate and environmental obligations.” The European Union is also talking about carbon adjustment tariffs as a way to reduce domestic fossil fuel use without putting its manufacturing at a global disadvantage.

“I will also condition future trade agreements on partners’ commitments to meet their enhanced Paris climate targets,” he said. “And, on day one of my administration, I will require public companies disclose climate risks and the greenhouse gas emissions in their operations and supply chains.”