Biden Says He Hopes Trump ‘Rethinks’ Tariffs with Canada and Mexico: ‘Counterproductive’

President Joe Biden told reporters on Friday that he hopes that his successor, President-elect Donald Trump, will rethink his planned tariffs.

Earlier this month, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that he intended to impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10% on goods from China. The proposal would require Trump to first declare an economic emergency, a move that will almost certainly be immediately challenged in court, and would undo a trade agreement with America’s neighboring nations that was negotiated during Trump’s first term.

The tariff proposal has also drawn criticism over worries it would worsen inflation or otherwise damage the U.S. economy, even from Republicans and Fox News on-air personalities.

Biden, who is in Nantucket, Massachusetts for the Thanksgiving holiday, spoke to a gaggle of reporters Friday about a variety of topics.

When asked about Trump’s proposed tariffs with Canada and Mexico, Biden replied, ” I hope he rethinks it. I — I think it’s a counterproductive thing to do.”

The president added:

You know, look, one of the things you’ve heard me say before that we — we’re — we have an unusual situation in America. We’re surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and two allies: Mexico and Canada. And the last thing we need to do is begin to screw up those relationships. I think we’ve got them in a good place. I think the —

And, by the way, you know, the cooperation with the outgoing president — incoming president, the illegal crossings are down considerably to what they were back in — when he was in office.

There’s a lot more to do. But I — I just think — I hope they reconsider.

A reporter asked a follow-up question about the proposed tariffs with China. From the White House transcript:

Q President-elect Trump proposed tariffs on China as well. Are you worried about that as well or that relationship?

THE PRESIDENT: I — I — we have reached a relationship where there’s a status quo ante with regard to China. China has — is — we’ve set up a hotline between President Xi and myself, as well as through our military — a direct line.

The one thing I’m confident about Xi is he doesn’t want to make a mistake. And I mean that sincerely. And I’m not saying that he is our best buddy, but he — he understands what’s at stake.

And that’s why I’ve spent so much time, as you know, getting the situation in the South Pacific, as well as in the Indian Ocean, in the (inaudible). So, a combination of Japan, Australia, India. I mean, things are moving in the right direction, with the grace of God and the goodwill of the neighbors.

Watch the clip above via MSNBC.