Tariffs and protection of American union worker's jobs has long been the rallying cry of Democrats. Republicans for decades demanded free markets. Then Trump came along, threw out free trade agreements, and implemented tariffs. So, I disagree with the premise of this thread. It isn't Biden taking a play from Trump, but instead this is one of the places where Trump took a play from Democrats.
Theoretically it will contribute to inflation. Look at what happened after Trump put in 25% tariffs and suddenly prices went up nearly 25% over the next 2 years. But, in this particular Biden case it is often tariffs on items that weren't being sold here. For example, Chinese EVs are not really sold in the US other than a rare import here or there. So, a tariff on something that isn't sold acts more as a trade barrier than short term inflation. The idea being that hopefully allowing healthy US companies will lower EV prices here in the long term even if short term it helps to keep prices high.
I can understand with automobiles. There is a very valid question of illegal subsidies by the Chinese government to manipulate the market. My only issue is, there's no conclusion to the investigations yet. EU investigations are ongoing.
One major issue with the tariffs is Biden is targeting other items that the US needs. Things like PPE (needles, gloves, masks) manufactured in China, and that is definitely going to affect the health industry.
Solar panels are another target. This will only affect those who care about green energies, so all the conservatives can cheer this one on.
Battery parts. This will definitely increase the prices of many consumer items, considering how many things come with batteries nowadays.
Steel and aluminum. I haven't seen more info on this, so not sure if it's just raw steel and aluminum. But that's got to raise the prices of general consumer items.
STS (ship-to-shore) cranes. Now here's a surprising one. From what I know, the US doesn't currently make STS cranes and hasn't for nearly 3 decades. STS cranes moves containers from the ship to shore, or from shore to the container ships. Biden did announce grants for Japanese company, Misui E&S Co, to make STS cranes in the US. It seems this is the very protectionism Biden, and the US, has been wailing about.