US Automakers Urge Congress To Ban Chinese Vehicles By Year-End.
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Major US and international automakers have intensified their lobbying efforts in Washington, urging Congress to pass legislation barring Chinese-built vehicles from the US market before the close of 2026. In a formal letter to congressional leadership, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation—representing industry heavyweights including General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Honda, and Stellantis—called for immediate statutory safeguards. The alliance is pushing lawmakers to close regulatory loopholes and eliminate exemptions that could enable Chinese automotive giants such as BYD, Chery, and SAIC Motor to establish a foothold in the United States.The domestic auto industry argues that state-backed subsidies provide Chinese manufacturers an unfair competitive advantage, while advanced in-vehicle software and connectivity pose critical data-security and national-security threats. Momentum for a legislative block is building behind a bipartisan bill introduced by Senators Bernie Moreno and Elissa Slotkin, which aims to formalize strict prohibitions on Chinese passenger and connected vehicles.
A group representing major US automakers has urged Congress to pass legislation barring Chinese vehicles from the US market before the end of 2026, citing national security and economic concerns.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents companies including General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Honda and Stellantis, called for swift action in a letter to congressional leaders.
The industry group wants Congress to strengthen existing restrictions and prevent Chinese automakers from using exemptions that could allow companies such as BYD, Chery and SAIC Motor to access the US market.
Automakers argue that Chinese manufacturers benefit from government subsidies and could use connected-vehicle technologies to collect sensitive data, creating what the industry describes as a national security risk.
A bipartisan bill introduced by Senators Bernie Moreno and Elissa Slotkin seeks to formalise restrictions on Chinese-made passenger vehicles and connected-vehicle technology. The legislation has advanced in the Senate Commerce Committee but still faces hurdles before becoming law.
The proposed legislation has also raised concerns about unintended effects on companies with Chinese ownership. Senator Ted Cruz has warned that the current wording could potentially affect manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, which has Chinese ownership ties.
China’s embassy in Washington has criticised the proposed restrictions, arguing that Chinese companies should be allowed to compete in an open market. The dispute adds another layer to broader US-China tensions over trade, technology and industrial policy.
