Clete Willems Interviewed on CNBC’s ‘Squawk Box Asia’ re: Biden and China Tariffs

Akin Gump public law and policy partner Clete Willems was interviewed on President Joe Biden’s plans regarding U.S. tariffs on China on CNBC’s program Squawk Box Asia.

Willems, who served in the Trump White House as Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economics, said that expectations are that President Biden is deciding on “a relatively modest list of potential tariff suspensions in order to fight inflation. Some of the reports indicate that it’s on the order of magnitude of about $10 billion out of over $360 billion that are currently being imposed on China.”

He added that this move would likely come together with other actions that will be perceived as being “tough on China” such as a potential new investigation into that country’s industrial subsidies.

Replying to a question that noted that President Biden’s moves, at best, would have a minimal effect on inflation, Willems agreed, saying that this is the White House’s way of showing that it has heard, and is responding to, criticisms for “not doing much on inflation.” Willems said that he thinks that the administration’s move on the $10 billion worth of tariffs likely won’t have a general effect on the Consumer Price Index, but that it is gambling that individual consumers going to buy select items will notice price savings.

To watch the full segment, click here.