US senators are pushing a bipartisan bill to make permanent the ban on Chinese-made cars entering the United States, with sponsors seeking unanimous consent in the Senate as early as this week, according to Gasgoo, a Chinese automotive news outlet.
The bill's lead sponsors, Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio, said on September 23 that they aim to secure Senate approval through a unanimous consent procedure. The effort comes as President Donald Trump prepares to meet with China's leader this week to discuss trade issues.
"Whether you're a Democrat or a Republican, nobody wants Chinese cars in the United States," Slotkin said at a press conference on Capitol Hill. She said the sponsors are checking for any objections and trying to address concerns raised by fellow lawmakers.
A congressional aide told Reuters that several Republican senators have expressed reservations, and it remains unclear whether they will block the measure. A notice sent to Democratic senators' offices said Moreno plans to seek unanimous consent this week. The bill already has the support of 51 senators.
What the bill would do
If passed, the legislation would codify into law the existing restrictions on Chinese-made connected vehicles and their software and hardware, and would prevent the White House from granting waivers to Chinese automakers. The current rules, implemented in January 2025 under the previous administration, target Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular and some satellite communications technologies, citing concerns that they could allow Chinese cars to collect sensitive data on US owners.
The US already imposes a 100 percent tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles, effectively barring all Chinese automakers from selling or producing passenger cars in the US market. The new bill would make those restrictions permanent and harder to reverse.
Trump said in a Fox News interview on September 8 that he would have "no problem" with Chinese automakers producing cars in the US, a comment that has worried American manufacturers. Slotkin warned that allowing Chinese carmakers to build vehicles in the US would mark "the beginning of the end of American auto manufacturing."
Last week, six US industry groups representing automakers, parts suppliers and dealers signed a joint letter urging Trump to "continue restrictions on Chinese cars and firmly close the door on Chinese automakers selling, importing or producing cars in the US."
China has strongly opposed the US ban and the push to make it permanent. The outcome of this week's talks between Trump and China's leader could influence the bill's path through the Senate.
