A Republican from Ohio and a Democrat from Michigan are moving fast to wall off the U.S. auto market from Chinese manufacturers, launching legislation that would ban Chinese-made vehicles, parts, and software before President Trump sits down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping next month.
Sens. Bernie Moreno and Elissa Slotkin introduced the Connected Vehicle Security Act on Wednesday, a measure that targets not just finished cars but the entire supply chain, closing loopholes that might let Chinese vehicles in even temporarily. The bill would prohibit imports from China and other adversarial nations, expanding protections that the Commerce Department put in place last year through regulation.
Slotkin made clear the timing was deliberate. The May summit with Xi spurred the push for legislation now, she said in an interview. "We are watching very closely what deals come out of that summit," she said. Moreno downplayed expectations that the auto issue would surface at the summit itself, but stressed that the bill essentially seals U.S. borders against Chinese auto industry competition.
The urgency reflects growing anxiety across the political spectrum about Chinese vehicles gaining a foothold in America. More than 70 House Democrats sent a letter to Trump this week urging him to block Chinese automakers from entering the market. That pressure comes after Trump suggested in January that he might be open to allowing them in, a remark that alarmed Detroit and labor groups.
Both senators framed the ban as necessary on security and economic grounds. Chinese-made vehicles with internet connectivity pose a surveillance threat, they argued, comparing them to TikTok. The domestic auto industry also faces a cost squeeze: Chinese competitors offer cheaper options, and consumers are price-sensitive as inflation persists.
General Motors and the United Auto Workers union back the legislation. UAW President Shawn Fain called it common sense protection for a vital industry. Slotkin acknowledged the real squeeze families face, noting that gas prices had fallen over the past year until the war in Iran sent them climbing again. "But as leaders, we have a responsibility to say, 'Look, this is a driving surveillance package, it's like TikTok on wheels," she said.
The effort comes as China dominates the global electric vehicle market. A combination of lower prices and rising fuel costs could make Chinese EVs attractive to American consumers, potentially disrupting the domestic industry at a moment when automakers are still investing heavily in the EV transition.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "This bill is really about whether Trump can be locked into protecting Detroit before he starts making side deals with Beijing, and the bipartisan push suggests both parties see Chinese cars as a real threat to American workers and security."
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