Nearly half of top congressional staffers say their boss supports the Biden administration slapping tariffs on electric vehicles, solar panels, medical supplies, semiconductor chips and other products made in China.

The findings are part of our most recent survey of top congressional staffers, The Canvass Capitol Hill. Notably, most Republicans (53%) who responded sided with Biden on the tariffs.

The White House in May announced it was taking steps to “counter China’s unfair trade practices” and protect U.S. workers and businesses. President Joe Biden directed the U.S. trade representative to levy tariffs on $18 billion of goods imported from China.

Biden’s decision to tax certain imports from China mirrors similar actions by former President Donald Trump when he was in office. It’s no surprise that Biden is taking similar steps in a contentious election year where the president is struggling to get his economic message to resonate with voters.

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