The Biden administration will increase the tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles from 25 per cent to 100 per cent this year. The measures also include raising to 25 per cent the levies on Chinese steel, aluminum and critical minerals, as well as non-car lithium-ion batteries and their parts. Charges for semiconductors and solar cells will increase to 50 per cent. (The Logic)

Talking point: Washington and Ottawa have pledged billions in tax credits and incentives to support domestic manufacturing of batteries and cars. But Chinese brands like BYD and Geely are selling cheaper EVs than the ones U.S. automakers like Tesla, Ford and GM can produce to drivers around the world. The Biden administration says Beijing has built up the industry with subsidies and market controls, and that Chinese EVs are “unfairly priced”—hence the tariffs. North American and European policymakers are also trying to curb reliance on Chinese critical minerals, while steel and aluminum producers here argue the Asian economy is overproducing emissions-intensive metal to capture market share.