Biden could discuss tariffs with the Chinese president

Joe Biden could discuss with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping the tariffs imposed on many Chinese products, a White House spokesman said on Tuesday, noting that the American president had not yet made a decision on their lifting.

Biden could discuss tariffs with the Chinese president

Joe Biden could discuss with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping the tariffs imposed on many Chinese products, a White House spokesman said on Tuesday, noting that the American president had not yet made a decision on their lifting. possible.

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U.S.-China trade issues “will definitely be discussed” in the phone call Joe Biden intends to have “probably this week” with the Chinese leader, the press has told John Kirby, White House spokesman for strategic issues.

The American president considers that "the customs tariffs put in place by his predecessor were badly designed", he added. “We believe they have cost American families, small businesses and farmers dearly.”

The Democratic president, faced with very high inflation which is demoralizing Americans, is under pressure to lift these punitive customs duties in order to calm the runaway consumer prices a little.

The spokesperson, however, hinted that even if the subject was raised during the call, an announcement on a possible lifting of customs tariffs could come only later.

Joe Biden "did not make a decision," he said. "I don't think that's a major talking point with President Xi until he makes a decision."

The interview with Xi Jinping, which will be the fifth between the two men, will also focus, according to John Kirby, on the tensions between the two countries over Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory; the war in Ukraine, which Beijing has not condemned; Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea or the economic competition between the two countries.

One of the main objectives of this meeting will be to "take care of relations" with China, explained the spokesman.

Joe Biden 'wants to be sure that the lines of communication with President Xi on all issues, whether it's issues we agree on or issues we have serious difficulty with, that they can pick up the phone and talk about it frankly,” he said.

Among the areas of disagreement is expected to be the potential visit to Taiwan by the leader of the American congressmen, Nancy Pelosi.

Any trip by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who is one of the most senior figures in the US state, is surrounded by heavy security, and reports of the potential visit have drawn fury from Beijing.

But John Kirby pointed out that to date Nany Pelosi “has not announced any trips”.

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