'They’re not importing anything, they’re xenophobic': Biden highlights China's economic woes

US President Joe Biden. File Photo

Highlighting China’s economic woes, President Joe Biden on Wednesday called the Asian nation ‘xenophobic’ and said that they have some real problems as they barely import anything, according to a Bloomberg report.

Addressing steel workers during a campaign stop in the swing state of Pennsylvania, Biden said, “They’ve got a population that is more people in retirement than working. They’re not importing anything. They’re xenophobic — nobody else coming in. They’ve got real problems.”

His comments came after a recent phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which marked their first exchange since their in-person meeting last November. Although the relations between the two countries have stabilized of late, tensions are escalating due to Chinese investments in manufacturing, which pose a risk of job losses among blue-collar workers.

According to the Bloomberg report, President Biden also advocated for increased tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum, as part of a broader effort to support the American steel sector. This includes a commitment from the president to prevent Japan’s Nippon Steel Corp. from acquiring Pittsburgh-based United States Steel Corp.

Under the proposed tariffs, the US would implement new 25% levies on specific Chinese steel and aluminum products as part of an ongoing assessment. Additionally, the administration will initiate a formal investigation into China’s shipbuilding industry.

China’s Commerce Ministry criticised the US review, labeling it as “full of false accusations” and driven by domestic political agendas, added the report.

Biden also criticised Donald Trump for his policies toward Beijing while in office.

“Trump simply doesn’t get it,” Bloomberg quoted Biden as saying, claiming that it’s incorrect to view China as on the rise and the US falling behind. Asked as he departed Pittsburgh if the steel tariffs would hurt ties with Xi, Biden responded “no.”

Biden also vowed to continue efforts to deny China advanced technology like computer chips, which has spurred Xi to invest in becoming more self-sufficient.

“They can’t be sent to China because it would undermine our national security,” Biden was quoted as saying. “When I spoke with Xi Jinping he said ‘Why?’ And I said, ‘Because you’d use it for all the wrong reasons, so you’re not gonna get those advanced computer chips’,” he added.

With inputs from agencies