Biden is seeking higher tariffs on Chinese steel as he makes an election-year pitch to union voters [Video]

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — President Joe Biden is calling for a tripling of tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum to protect American producers from a flood of cheap imports, and will pitch his election-year plan during a visit Wednesday with steelworkers in Pennsylvania, where union support could prove crucial in the White House race.

The move reflects the intersection of Biden’s international trade policy with his reelection effort. The White House insists the policy is more about shielding American manufacturing from unfair trade practices overseas than firing up a union audience.

The current tariff rate is 7.5% for both steel and aluminum but could climb to 22.5%.

The Biden administration also promised to pursue antidumping investigations against countries and importers that try to saturate existing markets with Chinese steel. It said it was working with Mexico to ensure that Chinese companies cannot circumvent the tariffs by shipping steel there for subsequent export to the United States

“The …