President Joe Biden spent Thanksgiving morning serving as a first responder in Nantucket, and took time to offer his thoughts on threats to his successor. issue rates In Mexico, Canada and China.
Biden told reporters he hopes President-elect Donald Trump will “rethink” his. Day 1 proposalcalling it “the counterintuitive thing to do”.
President Joe Biden speaks to the media during a visit to the Nantucket Fire Department on Thanksgiving Day in Nantucket, Mass., Nov. 28, 2024.
Jose Luis Magana/AP
“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 screw up those relationships. I think he’s put them in a good place,” Biden said Thursday.
Trump said this week that he plans to sign an executive order when he takes office on Jan. 20, 2025, that would impose 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada on all products those nations ship to the United States, in an effort to stop them. the flow of drugs into the country and illegal border crossings.
He also vowed to impose an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods coming into the US, arguing that the country was doing enough to stem the flow of illegal drugs.
Economists widely expect tariffs of this magnitude to increase prices paid by American buyers, as importers typically pass on some of the cost of these higher taxes to consumers.
Trump’s tariffs would cost the average U.S. household about $2,600 a year, according to estimates from the Peterson Institute for International Economics.
With migrants a key issue for Trump to threaten tariffs on, Biden noted that illegal crossings have decreased significantly since Trump was in office.
“There’s a lot to do, but I hope they reconsider,” he said Thursday.
The president noted that with the GOP’s slim majority in Congress, there may need to be “real compromise” on Trump’s agenda.
“I want to make sure that this transition is smooth and that he talks about what he’s going to do and what he’s not going to do, I think there may be some internal caution on his part,” Biden said.
President Joe Biden greets police officers at the Nantucket Fire Department in Nantucket, Mass., on Nov. 28, 2024.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
Despite his disagreements with Trump, Biden said he was grateful for his family and the “peaceful transition,” adding that he is “really grateful.” he reached a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah.
He also said that the president spoke to the three Americans who were there released from Chinese surveillance on Wednesday.
“I’m glad they’re home,” he said.
President Joe Biden shakes hands with members of the Nantucket Fire Department on Thanksgiving Day in Nantucket Mass, Nov. 28, 2024.
Jose Luis Magana/AP
Biden, who was joined by the first lady and her grandson Beau at a firehouse in Nantucket, was asked what her message is to Americans worried about the future of the United States when she told them to “remember who we are.”
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris spent Thanksgiving morning with her family at DC Central Kitchen as part of a community service project.
Vice President Kamala Harris celebrates Thanksgiving Day by helping cook vegetables at the DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) on November 28, 2024 in Washington, DC.
Benoit Tessier/Reuters
Harris said she will make a turkey, her “famous corn meal,” sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, shaved potatoes, green beans, Brussels sprouts, salad and rolls for dinner.
“Lots of carbs,” he said.
When asked by a reporter, “What’s next for you?” Harris joked “Thanksgiving dinner” and proceeded to prepare the collards.
ABC News’ Max Zahn contributed to this report.
