Staff Reports
The Biden administration’s decision to slap tariffs on steel and aluminum shipments coming through Mexico is raising eyebrows across the political spectrum. President Joe Biden’s move to impose tariffs is being seen as an attempt to crack down on countries like Iran, China, Russia, and Belarus who are allegedly using Mexico as a detour to evade import taxes when sending their goods to the U.S.
The White House’s announcement of a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum, except for imports from Canada and Mexico, has sparked debates about the economic consequences of such actions. Lael Brainard, the director of the White House National Economic Council, justified the tariffs as necessary to close the loopholes left by the previous administration that supposedly allowed China to manipulate trade rules.
Biden administration to tax foreign-made steel and aluminum imports routed through Mexico https://t.co/DGuXi5PWTH
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 10, 2024
Critics of the tariffs argue that they could have limited impact, with reports indicating that only a small percentage of aluminum and steel imported from Mexico is processed outside the country. However, supporters of the move maintain that it is essential to protect American industries from unfair competition and to ensure national security.
The timing of this tariff imposition is drawing attention, as it comes amidst reports of President Biden’s declining popularity in recent polls. Political analysts are dissecting Biden’s performance in debates and questioning whether his policies, including these tariffs, could further impact his standing with the American public. The Biden administration’s handling of trade issues, particularly with Mexico, is becoming a focal point of scrutiny in the ongoing political landscape.
