Automakers Urge Permanent Ban on Chinese Vehicles

A coalition of major automakers is urging Congress to enact a permanent ban on Chinese-manufactured vehicles, along with their associated software and hardware, citing national security and economic concerns. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing most major automakers selling vehicles in the United States, sent a letter to congressional leaders this week requesting swift legislative action before the current session of Congress concludes. The group argues that Chinese automakers are currently "dumping subsidized vehicles with connected software and hardware around the world," a practice that has not yet taken hold in the U.S. market. However, they are concerned that existing regulatory barriers, such as a 100 percent tariff on Chinese-made vehicles and Commerce Department rules restricting connected vehicle technology linked to China, could be altered by future administrations. Automakers are seeking to codify these protections into permanent law.