Major US automakers, suppliers and auto dealers are urging President Donald Trump to maintain restrictions on Chinese carmakers ahead of his planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week.
Six major automotive industry groups sent a letter to Trump asking his administration to prevent Chinese automakers from selling, importing or manufacturing passenger vehicles in the United States. The groups represent companies including General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, Ford, Hyundai, Stellantis and Tesla.
The appeal follows Trump's recent comments that he would be open to Chinese automobile companies building vehicles in the United States. The industry groups said allowing Chinese manufacturers to establish operations in the country could give them a foothold in the US market.
The groups argued that Chinese investment in US vehicle production could shift employment away from companies that have already invested heavily in American manufacturing. Their position was outlined in a letter signed by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and other industry associations.
Chinese automakers currently have no significant passenger-vehicle market share in the United States. Washington also maintains tariffs of more than 100% on Chinese electric vehicles, while federal rules restrict certain connected-vehicle technologies over concerns about the potential collection and transfer of sensitive data.
The issue could become part of wider discussions between Trump and Xi as the two leaders prepare to meet. Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin has also raised questions about reports that Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD could be involved in the discussions, although no such agreement has been confirmed.
The Biden administration introduced restrictions in 2025 covering connected vehicles using technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular communications and certain satellite systems. The measures were based on national security and data-security concerns.
Congress is also considering legislation that would further tighten restrictions on Chinese vehicles entering the US market. The White House and Chinese Embassy in Washington had not immediately commented on the auto industry's latest appeal, according to Reuters.
The dispute highlights the broader economic and national-security issues surrounding Chinese investment in the US automobile industry as Washington and Beijing prepare for another round of high-level talks.