Letter to Congress: US Companies Demand Permanent Ban on Chinese Cars

A group representing US automakers sent a letter to congressional leaders on Thursday demanding a permanent ban on Chinese-made cars in the United States.

In the letter, John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, described China’s manufacturing sector as “entrenched in a well-documented pattern of unfair trade practices, government subsidies, intellectual property theft, and surveillance activities.”

Bozella addressed his request to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York), urging them to support a “permanent ban on the sale, import, and manufacture of Chinese-made internet-connected vehicles” before the 119th Congress ends in January.

“Currently, Chinese automakers are flooding global markets with government-subsidized vehicles equipped with advanced software and connectivity components,” wrote Bozzella, adding that China is “capturing market share” in Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, Mexico, and South America.

He continued, “This has not yet happened in the United States, but given the scale and urgency of this threat, we urge you to enact legislation banning Chinese vehicles, software, and components before the Council concludes this year, and to make this policy law.”

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAVI), a trade organization representing automakers, represents the entire U.S. automotive industry, according to its website.

Last July, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee approved legislation proposing to prohibit companies with more than 15% Chinese ownership from selling vehicles in the United States.

Under this bill, Mercedes-Benz would be barred from selling its vehicles in the country, as Chinese investors own nearly 20% of the German automaker.

Similarly, Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-Mich) and John Molenar (R-Mich) introduced similar legislation in the House of Representatives. Their bill, the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026, has the support of 72 additional members from both parties.