President Joe Biden recently raised eyebrows when he called for increasing U.S. tariffs on Chinese aluminum and steel, taking a page out of Donald Trump's playbook. Of course, Biden's pledge comes as he campaigns for union votes in an election year. But China is already a step ahead of him, and it goes far beyond aluminum and steel. Total Chinese export volume has reached a 10-year high, as China floods the U.S. market with cheap products that undermine American manufacturing and sales. At the same time, American companies face increased threats of hacking from the Chinese.
Critics of Biden say solving this problem of "dumping," or flooding the market with cheap goods, will require more than some modest increases in taxes on a few items. Former President Donald Trump earlier this year was asked about a possible 60% tax on Chinese imports if he's reelected, and said that number might be too low.
In the meantime, Americans don't have to wait for someone in Washington, D.C. to do something about China's market manipulation. Florida Senator Rick Scott tells Fox News the public can send a strong message on its own. "I think we should never buy a product or a service made in China, ever," says Scott. "They're spying on us, they don't like our way of life...whether it's sending fentanyl into the country or stealing our jobs, everything they're doing is anti-American."
Scott believes the boycott of Chinese goods should extend beyond major industries like aluminum and steel to all products. "I tell people don't buy Chinese produce, their garlic is made in sewer water and they're selling it in our restaurants and our grocery stores," he tells Fox. "Look, if it's made in China, one, it's bad for you, and two, it helps the Chinese government, which wants to destroy our way of life."
"They decided to be our enemy," Scott continues. "So my message is would you support your enemy? No. Stop buying anything made in China and stop using any devices made in China."
Photo: AFP