President Joe Biden showed his thanks to first responders on Nantucket Thursday morning.
But the thought of tariffs to be implemented by his successor weighed heavily on his mind, according to a report by ABC News.
“We have an unusual situation in America. We’re surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and the two allies: Mexico and Canada. And the last thing we need to do is screw up those relationships. I think we’ve got them in a good place,” Biden said on Thanksgiving.
President-elect Donald Trump said that he plans to sign an executive order when he takes office on Jan. 20.
The order will impose a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada on all products they send to the United States. This is a way to halt drugs from entering the U.S. as well as illegal border crossings.
China will get an additional 10% tariff because, according to Trump, China isn’t doing enough to stop the influx of illicit drugs.
In the end, economists warn that these tariff will ultimately lead to Americans paying more money at the cash register as importers will likely pass along those increased costs to consumers.
These new tariffs would cost the average U.S. household about $2,600 per year, the Peterson Institute for International Economics estimated.
Biden also said illegal crossings are down considerably from when Trump was in office in his first term.
“There’s a lot more to do, but, I hope they reconsider,” Biden said.
Biden added there may be a need for “real compromise” given the Republicans’ slight majority in Congress.
“I want to make sure this transition goes smoothly and all the talk of what he’s going to do and not do, I think there may be a little bit of internal reckoning on his part,” the outgoing president said.
Biden expressed thanks for his family as well as “a peaceful transition.”
He added he’s “really thankful” there is a secured a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah.
Vice President Kamala Harris spent part of her Thanksgiving with her family at DC Central Kitchen — a community service project.
