U.S. Senator Marco Rubio Wants to Use Massive Tariffs to Unseat China’s Dominance in Critical Resources

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio speaks during a campaign rally for former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Doral, Florida, on July 9, 2024. Giorgio Viera / AFP

U.S. Senator and Republican party vice presidential hopeful Marco Rubio submitted legislation this month that aims to break China’s current control of critical mineral supply chains with punishing tariffs up to 800%.

Rubio’s Critical Mineral Supply Chain Realignment Act of 2024 calls for the imposition of a 150% tariff on any product manufactured by a Chinese-owned entity that uses critical resources, regardless of where it’s made. Rubio’s legislation aims to eliminate loopholes where Chinese companies offshore production to other countries to sidestep U.S. sanctions.

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by Eric Olander

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