74 Democrats and 52 Republicans Urge Trump to Block Chinese Automakers from U.S. Market

A total of 74 Democratic and 52 Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives have signed a joint letter to President Trump urging a ban on Chinese automakers from entering the U.S. market. Many of these lawmakers represent districts with significant automotive industry presence, such as Michigan, and have demonstrated rare bipartisan unity on restricting Chinese carmakers. This move comes in response to Trump’s recent remarks in Detroit welcoming Chinese automakers to invest in and build factories in the United States, where he pledged support for foreign automakers establishing operations and hiring local workers. To prevent any policy relaxation, lawmakers and auto industry representatives have intensified lobbying efforts, emphasizing alleged “data security” risks and “industrial threats.” Some legislators are advancing the proposed “Connected Vehicle Safety Act,” aiming to institutionalize existing data-security restrictions targeting Chinese vehicles through legislation, thereby permanently blocking Chinese cars and auto parts from entering the U.S. market. Certain statements have even labeled Chinese vehicles as “mobile data collection devices,” exaggerating their security risks. Although U.S. officials previously stated that automobiles are not on the U.S.-China agenda and that related investments would not be opened up, Congress and the industry remain concerned that Trump might unilaterally adjust his stance.