NEW YORK - The Biden administration made a "big mistake" in levying high tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China, said a former US envoy on Tuesday.

Speaking at a webinar organized by KraneShares, a US-based asset management firm, Terry Branstad, former US ambassador to China, said US President Joe Biden recently announced an extraordinary tariff on Chinese EVs in a bid to address concerns about US dependence on China in this regard.

It's really important to stay in touch with the constituents and that's where I think Biden is at a disadvantage because his electric vehicle mandate is not popular with the consumers. And I think it could hurt him.

Terry Branstad, Former US ambassador to China 

"I really think his policy was a big mistake and I think that the Trump campaign is going to try to really focus on that," said Branstad, who was posted in China from 2017 to 2020.

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"It's really important to stay in touch with the constituents and that's where I think Biden is at a disadvantage because his electric vehicle mandate is not popular with the consumers. And I think it could hurt him," said Branstad, who served as Iowa governor for six terms in total.

Biden made a "huge mistake" in focusing on and trying to mandate EVs in the United States because consumers want a choice, he said.

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With access to rare minerals, China has a huge advantage and could produce EVs at a lot less cost than the United States, according to Branstad.

It's critically important to maintain business ties between China and the United States, added Branstad.