Biden-Harris commerce sec 'not focused' on looming dockworkers strike that could start as soon as Tuesday

The Biden-Harris administration's Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo has said that she is not focused on a looming dockworker strike that could cripple supply chains and increase the costs of goods for Americans across the country.  

Raimondo made the comments in an interview with CNBC's "Squawk Box," and addressed the looming strike along with the damage from Hurricane Helene. Raimondo was asked by Becky Quick what she was thinking about with the strike and if it went longer than a week.  

She responded, saying, "I have not been very focused on that." During her interview, she focused on representing the Harris campaign as a surrogate and touting the Democratic nominee's economic policy agenda.  

During her appearance, Raimondo told Quick, "I don't think it is at all an exaggeration to think that Trump as president would tip us into a recession." And went on to tout the Biden-Harris administration's economic policies. She shifted over to speaking about inflation as she went on in the segment, telling Joe Kernan that over the last few years, they have achieved a "soft landing" with inflation numbers, and compared it to a "featherbed." However, inflation has still been above the level many economists say is optimal at two percent.  

Time is running out for the Biden-Harris administration to avoid a strike from port workers who are responsible for shipments all along ports on the East Coast, per CNN. Members of the International Longshoremen’s Association have planned to strike starting on Tuesday at 12:01 am Eastern. The strike is spread across 14 different facilities and could worsen high prices on all sorts of goods. 

United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) represents the major shipping lines, terminal operators, and port authorities, and has reportedly offered upwards of 40 percent in wage increases over a six-year contract. USMX has claimed that the union is not negotiating in good faith and the two sides have not met in person since June. The union is reportedly requesting wage hikes that could be upwards of 77 percent through the life of the contract.