Washington, May 7: Over 50 Republican lawmakers have called on the Trump administration to prevent Chinese automotive and battery companies from manufacturing in the United States. They argue that such actions pose a threat to American jobs, supply chains, and national security.
In a letter led by Mike Kelly and Gus Bilirakis, the lawmakers urged Treasury Secretary Scott Basset, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer to reject any attempts by Chinese companies to establish vehicle and battery manufacturing facilities in the U.S. or the broader North American market.
This letter comes ahead of a meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding trade issues. The lawmakers stated, “We must be clear about China’s goals to expand its automotive reach worldwide. China’s intent is not fair competition, as evidenced by its actions in other critical sectors.”
They emphasized that the U.S. automotive industry contributes over 5% to the nation’s GDP and supports millions of manufacturing jobs. They warned that heavily subsidized Chinese companies might use non-market tactics to gain control over the global automotive supply chain.
The letter stated, “If Chinese automotive companies are allowed to manufacture and sell vehicles and batteries in the U.S., we risk decimating American manufacturing, reducing global market share for U.S. auto companies, and exposing consumers and businesses to serious cybersecurity and surveillance threats.”
The lawmakers accused China of artificially boosting production through government subsidies and forcing companies to export vehicles at lower prices.
They wrote, “China’s goal is not to compete in the U.S. automotive market but to hollow it out and ultimately limit consumer choice to Chinese brands.”
Concerns were also raised about data security and connected vehicle technology. According to the lawmakers, vehicles made in China could collect and transmit sensitive information about American citizens and infrastructure.
They added, “Furthermore, today’s vehicles may allow remote access, potentially giving Chinese actors control over these vehicles operating on American roads.”
The group urged the administration to maintain existing restrictions, including the Commerce Department’s connected vehicle rule and Section 301 tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
They linked this issue to the upcoming review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), stating that Chinese state-owned companies are attempting to exploit the North American trade framework to bypass U.S. economic security measures.
The letter concluded, “Establishing a formal foreign investment screening system would help close this backdoor, protect the integrity of the agreement, and safeguard the U.S. manufacturing base from further harm.”
More than 50 House Republicans signed the letter, including lawmakers from Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Florida—states with a strong interest in automotive or manufacturing industries.
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers have rapidly increased exports in recent years, supported by substantial government subsidies and significant investments abroad. The rise of Chinese EV companies has sparked debates over trade and security in the U.S. and Europe, where governments are swiftly scrutinizing supply chains related to batteries, semiconductors, and connected vehicle technology.
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