Spending his final Thanksgiving as president in Nantucket, Massachusetts, Biden said the tariff threats would be “counterproductive.”

BIDEN TO USE LAME-DUCK SESSION TO ‘TRUMP-PROOF’ LEGACY

“I hope he rethinks it. I think it’s a counterproductive thing to do,” Biden said while appearing at the Nantucket Fire Department and Rescue station, according to a pool report. “We’re surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and two allies, Mexico and Canada. The last thing we need to do is begin to screw up those relationships.”

On Monday, Trump announced planned tariffs against Mexico and Canada in a Truth Social post.

“Right now a Caravan coming from Mexico, composed of thousands of people, seems to be unstoppable in its quest to come through our currently Open Border,” Trump wrote. “On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders.”

“This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!” Trump continued. “Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!”

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, CONGRESS, AND UNIONS TRY TO ‘TRUMP-PROOF SCIENCE’

During his first administration, Trump threatened to use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to put tariffs on Mexico but withdrew the threat after Mexico acquiesced to some changes in immigration enforcement.

While in office, Biden himself increased Trump’s previous tariffs against Chinese products, including medical supplies, semiconductors, and lithium-ion batteries.

Biden’s top economic adviser also criticized Trump’s tariff threats just this week.

“What would be very disruptive is if you saw sweeping across-the-board tariffs,” Lael Brainard, the director of the National Economic Council, told the Financial Times. “We want to strengthen our manufacturers through [the] protection of the credits in the historic investment laws enacted by this administration and not throw us back into a period of chaos and price increases.”

While speaking in Nantucket, Biden was asked about America’s relationship with China.

“We have reached a relationship with a status quo regarding China. … We set up a hotline between President Xi and myself, as well as a military — a direct line,” Biden said. “One thing I’m confident about Xi is he doesn’t want to make a mistake. I mean it sincerely.”

Biden told reporters he spoke to all three Americans, John Leung, Kai Li, and Mark Swidan, who were released from China this week in a prison swap with Beijing. “I’m really happy they are home,” the president said.

Biden also addressed the transition handoff to the incoming Trump administration. “I want to make sure this transition goes smoothly. I want to make sure it goes smoothly,” he said. “All the talk about what (Trump) may do or not do — I think there may be an internal reckoning on his part … so it remains to be seen.”

Biden said that this Thanksgiving, he was grateful for “my family, the peaceful transition of the presidency, and I’m thankful by the grace of God we were able to make more progress in the Middle East. I’m really thankful for being able to get the first peace done in Lebanon.”