One of the main opponents of tariff easing is the US Trade Representative Katherine Tai. On June 6, during the conference at Asia Society Policy Institute she expressed doubts about the need to link an inflationary measures exclusively with tariffs against China. She also supported the idea of a long-term strategic vision for US-China economic relations. Prior to that she stated the need to preserve the instrument of pressure in trade talks with Beijing. It is believed that Tai’s statements were a reaction to the interview of Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo to CNN from June 5. The Secretary noted that the tariff reduction on a wide range of Chinese goods and products (except for tariffs on steel and aluminum) may be a reasonable decision. According to the information available, Tai’s views are shared by the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and many other representatives of the US industrial lobby. It should be mentioned that most US legislators are against any kind of trade relief for Beijing. They call for a development of an American industry instead of supporting companies which subsist on supply chains linked to China. The White House is worried that the tariff relief may be used by the republicans to accuse Biden of showing weakness.
As a result, Washington doesn’t have a well-developed strategy for trade with China. But experts believe that the policy will be tightened. At the same time, it is proposed to increase pressure on China in other areas. Washington may start investigating China’s subsidies for key industries, according to the section 301 of the Trade Act.