Fox News National Correspondent Bryan Llenas and Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy join ‘America’s Newsroom’ to discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s vow to add tariffs on imports from Mexico, China, and Canada.
Former Vice President Mike Pence came out in support of the "hawkish" tariffs President-elect Trump has vowed to hit China with, though warned in a Tuesday night address that the U.S. needs to balance its challenging relationship with Beijing.
"The threats of additional tariffs on China and on other nations are not a bluff," he said, addressing the U.S.-based China General Chamber of Commerce Tuesday night. "I believe with wise choices that look to the future, America’s relationship with China can ultimately improve – not in spite of President Trump’s tough approach to China, but because of it.
"China is our rival and our economic adversary – but China must not become our enemy," he added.
Former Vice President Mike Pence addresses the U.S.-based China General Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 3, 2024. (Photo provided by Advancing American Freedom)
Pence’s comments came just one week after Trump said one of his first moves as president will be to slap a 25% tariff on all goods coming from Mexico and Canada until they crack down on border control – a move President Biden warned could upend the 2020 U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that promotes duty-free trade between the three North American countries.
In addition, he said China can expect "an additional 10% tariff, above any additional tariffs" until it too cracks down on illegal fentanyl smuggling.
Tariffs are taxes placed on goods crossing the U.S. border and are used as a tool to dissuade certain imports as U.S. companies pay the price for higher tariffs – a fee that gets passed along to the American consumer.
According to the Tax Foundation, the Trump administration imposed some "$80 billion worth of new taxes on Americans" in 2018 and 2019 when he slapped tariffs on $380 billion worth of products.
The Biden administration largely kept these tariffs in place and then enforced additional tax increases on $18 billion worth of Chinese goods.
A jockey truck passes a stack of 40-foot China Shipping containers at the Port of Savannah in Georgia, on July 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton, File)
The combined trade war policies currently in place reportedly account for $79 billion in active tariffs, which "amounts to an average annual tax increase on U.S. households of $625," found the organization.
But in an attempt to ease concerns over additional tax hikes, Pence addressed American and Chinese company owners in attendance at the gala Tuesday night, saying it is a necessary step to bring China back to the negotiating table to reverse trade abuse practices, intellectual property theft, and the Chinese government’s increasingly adversarial posture.
President Xi Jinping reviews the honor guard during a welcome ceremony at The Great Hall of the People on Nov. 22, 2023, in Beijing, China. (Florence Lo - Pool/Getty Images)
"I’m sure that some of you are concerned that tariffs and other restrictions on China will hurt the economy, ours and China’s, or potentially even worse, lead to a trade war that damages both our nations. I understand those concerns," Pence said.
"I fervently hope his proposed tariffs will bring China back to the negotiating table as it did during our administration. I know this will be difficult and create challenges in the short-term, but it will be well worth it in the long-term," he added. "We want better for America and China – and I believe a firm, but fair approach is the best way to get there."
Presidential candidate Donald Trump stands with vice presidential candidate Mike Pence at the Republican National Convention on July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Pence said that after four years of serving with Trump, he "know[s] his mind" and remains confident the president-elect can balance respectful diplomacy with hard economic policies.
"The goal of tariffs is not to isolate or restrain China, but the president-elect’s goal in tariffs is to promote better relations through actions and reform to forge a better future," he said.
Caitlin McFall is a Reporter at Fox News Digital covering Politics, U.S. and World news.
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Former Vice President Mike Pence supports Trump’s tough approach on trade
Says tariff threat is 'not a bluff,' might force China to negotiate
Former Vice President Mike Pence Mike Pence speaks at a luncheon hosted by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission during a Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in Indianapolis.
By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times - Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Former Vice President Mike Pence says President-elect Donald Trump isn’t bluffing in his threat to impose new tariffs on China and other countries.
Mr. Pence, speaking at a gala late Tuesday, said China is a rival and economic adversary to the U.S. but doesn’t need to be its enemy. He said the short-term pain of Mr. Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods could produce long-term benefits.
“I fervently hope his proposed tariffs will bring China back to the negotiating table. It may be uncomfortable in the short term, but it will be well worth it in the long term. We want better for America and China — and Donald Trump’s firm but fair approach is the best way to get there,” Mr. Pence told the China General Chamber of Commerce, which represents Chinese enterprises in the U.S.
Mr. Trump has threatened to impose a tariff of 60% on goods from China and 25% on products from Canada and Mexico if those countries do not control illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
Tariffs are a form of tax or duty paid on imports. Mr. Trump says tariffs are a great way to force companies to base or keep their operations in the U.S., employ American workers and create revenue to fund domestic programs.
While tariffs hurt foreign countries by making their products more expensive and harder to sell in the U.S., foreign countries don’t pay the tariffs directly to the U.S. Treasury.
Companies pay the levies and decide whether to pass along the cost to consumers through higher prices.
It is unclear if Mr. Trump will follow through on his threat or if he is trying to compel policy outcomes before he is inaugurated.
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Mr. Pence said he knows Mr. Trump better than most. He believes the president-elect is serious about following through on his threat.
“The threats of additional tariffs are not a bluff, but with wise choices that look to the future, America’s relationship with China can ultimately improve — not in spite of President Trump’s tough approach to China, but because of it,” Mr. Pence said.
Mr. Pence served as Mr. Trump’s vice president from 2017 to 2021. They had a falling out when Mr. Trump, contesting his 2020 election loss, pressed Mr. Pence to send the electoral vote-counting process back to the states instead of certifying President Biden’s win.
Pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol during the certification on Jan. 6, 2021, with some shouting “Hang Mike Pence.”
Mr. Pence ran for president in the 2024 cycle but dropped out of the GOP primary. He did not endorse Mr. Trump during the election, though he is backing the incoming leader’s tariff approach.
“I no longer speak for the American government, but as a private citizen, I believe in free trade with free nations and using access to the most prosperous economy on earth to promote free and fair trade,” Mr. Pence said. “I strongly support President-elect Trump’s tough trade policies on China, and on other countries that reject our values and commitment to freedom.”
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