More than 70 Democratic lawmakers in the US House of Representatives have called on President Donald Trump to prevent Chinese automakers from building or selling cars in the United States. Led by Representatives Debbie Dingell and Ro Khanna, the group urged Trump to uphold a ban strongly backed by US and foreign carmakers and other auto groups.
The push follows a similar call by three Democratic senators earlier this month, ahead of Trump's planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May. In a letter, the lawmakers stated: 'We must not cede the American auto industry to a strategic competitor intent on global dominance.' They added: 'We urge you to take clear and decisive action to ensure that Chinese automakers are not permitted to enter the United States market in any capacity.'
In January 2025, the Biden administration implemented extensive regulations effectively prohibiting Chinese automakers from selling passenger vehicles in the US, citing national security risks related to the vehicles' ability to collect sensitive data on American owners. Despite existing high tariffs, recent surveys indicate growing consumer interest in Chinese-made cars.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington urged the US to 'stop overstretching the concept of national security, cease discriminatory and exclusionary measures and provide a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment.' The White House responded: 'While the administration is always working to secure more investment into America’s industrial resurgence, any notion that we would ever compromise our national security to do so is baseless and false.'
In January, Trump expressed openness to Chinese automakers establishing manufacturing plants in the US, stating: 'If they want to come in and build a plant and hire you and hire your friends and your neighbors, that’s great, I love that.' However, major auto trade groups have pressed the government to block Chinese carmakers. Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio also announced plans for legislation to 'seal off the United States' from Chinese automobiles.
