Senator Peters Welcomes Biden Administration Move to Raise Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced it will raise tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) to 100 percent from 25 percent to protect American jobs, economic competitiveness, and national security:

“A flood of heavily subsidized electric vehicles from China would undercut Michigan’s automakers and workers. Today’s announcement is a necessary response to combat the Chinese government’s unfair trade practices that endanger the future of our auto industry. It will help level the playing field, keep our auto industry competitive, and support good-paying, union jobs here at home by ensuring that American workers and companies are leading the way in both gas-powered and electric vehicle manufacturing. This action will also help offset the harmful impact of Chinese steel and aluminum subsidies that have affected jobs and businesses in manufacturing hubs like Michigan.  

“This effort will also help address national security vulnerabilities posed by Chinese electric vehicles and protect Americans’ personal data and our roadways from Chinese Communist Party-backed companies. I welcome this important step, and I look forward to continue working with the Administration on additional steps we must take to combat the economic and national security threats posed by Chinese electric vehicles.”

In addition to electric vehicles, the Administration announced it will also raise tariffs across numerous key sectors, including steel and aluminum imports, lithium batteries, critical minerals, solar cells, semiconductors, and medical equipment.

This announcement comes after Peters urged the Administration in March to immediately maintain or increase Section 301 tariffs on Chinese vehicles in a letter sent to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai. In the letter, Peters also welcomed the U.S. Department of Commerce’s recently announced efforts to investigate vehicles with ties to foreign countries of concern, and urged the investigation to place an emphasis on vehicles and high-risk technologies controlled by Chinese Communist Party-backed companies.

Peters has fought hard to ensure U.S. automakers and workers continue to dominate the global automobile market, including the production of EVs, to protect and create good-paying, union jobs in Michigan. Peters helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act into law, which included tax credits to help consumers purchase EVs. He also helped enact the bipartisan infrastructure law, which is making historic investments to deploy EV charging infrastructure in Michigan and across the country.

Peters has also introduced and advanced bipartisan legislation to reduce the United States’ reliance on China and adversarial nations for critical minerals. Peters’ Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director to create a task force and appoint representatives from federal agencies who must consult with state, local, and Tribal governments on how to address national security risks associated with America’s critical mineral supply chains. The task force would also identify new domestic opportunities for mining, processing, refinement, reuse, and recycling of critical minerals.

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