U.S. Political and Business Leaders Rally Against Chinese Automakers Ahead of Trump's China Visit

On May 13, Donald Trump will embark on a three-day visit to China—the first by a U.S. president in nine years. The automotive relationship between the United States and China is expected to be one of the key and sensitive issues during this trip. Ahead of the visit, intense debate has erupted within the U.S. over whether to open its market to China’s auto industry. Lawmakers from both parties in Congress, along with automakers, parts suppliers, steel producers, and labor unions, have publicly urged Trump to oppose Chinese-branded vehicles entering the U.S. market and to maintain restrictive positions during negotiations. In January, Trump stated in Detroit that he welcomed Chinese automakers building plants in the U.S. and hiring American workers—a comment that triggered significant alarm within the U.S. auto sector. For years, the industry has sought to block Chinese vehicles through measures such as data security regulations and high tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs). Since then, stakeholders have intensified lobbying efforts, fearing that Chinese automakers—armed with scale, technological capabilities, and cost advantages—could undermine America’s manufacturing base. Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan has called on Trump “not to strike a bad deal” and joined Republican Senator Bernie Moreno in introducing the *Connected Vehicle Safety Act*, which aims to legislatively restrict Chinese cars from entering the U.S. market citing data collection risks. A House version of the bill goes even further, proposing to ban U.S. companies from collaborating with Chinese firms in the automotive sector. The legislation enjoys broad bipartisan support and could pass before year-end. Additionally, 74 Democratic and 52 Republican members of the House jointly wrote to Trump, urging him to reject any move allowing Chinese automakers into the U.S. market. Major U.S. automakers, foreign brands operating in the U.S., and the steel industry have also issued joint statements warning that Chinese vehicle imports would jeopardize America’s global competitiveness and industrial foundation. Although the U.S. Trade Representative and Commerce Secretary recently indicated that autos are not formally on the agenda for this visit, industry observers remain concerned that Trump might leave room for future Chinese auto market access within broader trade talks. Meanwhile, Chinese automakers continue expanding their global footprint. In 2025, Chinese brands captured a 6% market share in Europe, reaching 14% in Norway, 11% in the UK, and 9% each in Italy and Spain. Canada imports approximately 49,000 Chinese EVs annually, while Mexico already hosts sales of 34 Chinese brands, accounting for roughly 15% of its local market. Chinese EVs sold in Mexico start at prices significantly lower than the cheapest models available in the U.S., underscoring their pricing edge. With the average price of new vehicles in the U.S. exceeding $51,000, the market faces an “affordability crisis.” Industry leaders worry that Chinese automakers’ entry would intensify price competition and destabilize domestic manufacturers. Even Toyota’s North America chief acknowledged feeling pricing pressure from Chinese automakers in Mexico. The automotive industry is vital to the U.S. economy, contributing over 5% of GDP and supporting millions of jobs. Consequently, various U.S. stakeholders are pushing for comprehensive legislative barriers covering whole vehicles, software, investment, and supply chains to shield the domestic industry from Chinese influence. However, global auto supply chains are deeply intertwined. Even as the U.S. strengthens protectionist policies, companies like General Motors, Ford, and Tesla continue encouraging Chinese auto suppliers to establish operations in America. Industry experts note that the U.S. cannot fully decouple from China’s capabilities in batteries, raw materials, electric drive systems, and intelligent components. Analysts suggest that the core of U.S.-China automotive competition may lie less in vehicle market access and more in supply chains and technical standards. While Trump’s visit is unlikely to yield breakthroughs on opening the U.S. auto market, pragmatic cooperation in areas like joint supply chain development and low-carbon transition could provide a new foundation for bilateral collaboration in the automotive sector.