The White House enacted steep increases in tariffs Friday that could quadruple the price of electric vehicles from China and double fees on imported solar cells, upping the trade war between the U.S. and the Asian manufacturing giant.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said it would increase duties on a range of goods from China under an authority known as Section 301, which permits import tariffs on products that threaten U.S. companies.
“Today’s finalized tariff increases will target the harmful policies and practices of the People’s Republic of China that continue to impact American workers and businesses,” said U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai. “These actions underscore the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to standing up for American workers and businesses in the face of unfair trade practices.”
Under the plan, Section 301 tariffs for electric vehicles will increase to 100 percent, while tariffs on solar cells will increase from 25 percent to 50 percent and lithium-ion batteries will increase to 25 percent, more than tripling current levels. Those tariffs are slated to take effect Sept. 27. The announcement, which largely finalizes a proposal in May, also raises tariffs on steel, aluminum, semiconductors and other products.
