Biden set to quadruple tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles

The Biden administration is set to announce a four-fold increase on electric vehicles coming from China, according to reports. 

Officials will announce the significant raising of tariffs on clean-energy goods from China on Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reports. 

The decision will also effect critical minerals, solar products and batteries, sources familiar with the matter told the Journal. 

Tariffs on roughly $300 billion of Chinese goods were first imposed by Donald Trump and have been subject to a yearslong review by the Biden administration. 

Evidence that China was increasing up its exports of electric products pushed policy makers in Washington towards higher levels as they attempt to protect the emerging American clean-energy industry. 

The current tariff on Chinese EVs is 25 percent, and is set to be raised to roughly 100 percent, the Journal reports. 

The current tariff has effectively blocked Chinese EVs, which can often be cheaper than Western-made cars, from the US market. 

However, the ramping up of Chinese manufacturing has worried the White House and American automakers that the current tariff will not be enough for much longer. 

The Chinese foreign ministry hit back at the plans at a briefing on Friday stating that tariffs have disrupted trade between the US and China. 

'China will take all necessary measures to defend its rights and interests,' a spokesperson for the ministry said. 

Protecting American industry and jobs from foreign competition has been a key message for Biden as he attempts to carry swing states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan ahead of the election in November. 

'These are strategic and targeted actions that are going to protect American workers and ensure fair competition,' Biden said during a campaign visit to Michigan last month. 

The President told workers he would raise tariffs on Chinese steel in order to protect industry jobs in the state. 

In turn Trump has stated that he would raise tariffs on all Chinese imports to 60 percent if he was reinstated to the White House. 

The former President has also argued that the American auto industry could face a 'bloodbath' if he loses.

China is attempting to increase its clean energy production as a way of stimulating its slumping economy. 

However, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has repeatedly warned against such an approach, arguing that other countries will simply impose tariffs and other impediments in order to protect their own industries form a flood of cheaper Chinese exports. 

'China is too large to export its way to rapid growth,' she told Chinese officials during a recent visit.