Washington, May 29: Two Democratic lawmakers in the United States have introduced a bill aimed at preventing vehicles linked to China from entering the country through Canada and Mexico. They have raised concerns that these vehicles pose a threat to national security and could harm the American auto industry.
Congresswoman Haley Stevens from Michigan and Senator Alyssa Slotkin announced the “Protecting America from Chinese Cars Act” at the Mackinac Policy Conference in Michigan. This legislation seeks to block connected vehicles from China and other adversarial nations from entering the U.S., including those manufactured by Chinese companies.
Stevens emphasized that the Chinese Communist Party should never have access to sensitive information about American drivers, roads, or critical infrastructure. The bill addresses vulnerabilities that currently allow connected vehicles from China to enter the U.S. via Canada and Mexico.
She stated that the bill is focused on safeguarding American national security and supporting Michigan’s auto workers, who produce some of the best vehicles in the world.
The lawmakers noted that this initiative is a response to China’s growing presence in global automotive markets. Supporters of the bill argue that Chinese automakers, heavily subsidized by Beijing, are rapidly expanding in Europe and South America.
They highlighted that Chinese vehicles now hold nearly 15% of the market share in Mexico. They also referenced a trade agreement with China signed in January 2026, which significantly reduces tariffs on thousands of Chinese vehicles.
The lawmakers warned that the threat from connected vehicles from China has now reached both of the U.S.’s neighbors to the north and south.
Slotkin pointed out that this issue extends beyond economic concerns. She stated that it is tied to both economic and national security. “We must prevent these vehicles from crossing our borders and entering our communities at all costs,” she said.
She described these vehicles as “surveillance mechanisms on wheels,” capable of pinpointing any driver’s exact location, recording video footage, and mapping sensitive infrastructure, including military bases.
The proposed law is based on the bipartisan Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026, which would prohibit fully assembled vehicles from China from entering the U.S., even for a single day.
Under this proposal, vehicles designed or manufactured in China will not be allowed entry into the U.S. This ban will also apply to vehicles produced by companies with more than a 15% stake from Chinese firms.
The bill outlines a process for vehicle manufacturers to apply for special permits for vehicles that would otherwise be banned. Any such permits would be subject to strict conditions, transparency requirements, and congressional oversight. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be required to establish implementation methods within 90 days of the law’s enactment and create a list of banned vehicles.
Policymakers from both parties have consistently expressed concerns that modern vehicles collect vast amounts of data through cameras, sensors, and internet-connected systems.
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