Democratic lawmakers press Trump to retain ban on Chinese automakers
Over two dozen Democratic lawmakers urged President Trump to maintain restrictions on Chinese automakers and connected vehicle technology before his meeting with Xi Jinping.
More than two dozen Democratic lawmakers have called on President Donald Trump to preserve existing restrictions that keep Chinese automakers out of the United States market, just days before his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In a letter signed by 27 legislators and led by Representative Debbie Dingell, the group pressed the administration to uphold robust safeguards against Chinese automobiles and connected vehicle technologies. They argued that China should not be allowed to enter the US market through direct imports, local manufacturing, or any other means of circumvention.
The appeal comes after Trump said earlier this month in an interview with Fox News that he would be open to Chinese car companies building vehicles inside the United States. That remark appears to have prompted the lawmakers' concerns about potential shifts in policy.
The legislators emphasized the need for continued protection of the domestic auto industry and connected vehicle systems, citing risks associated with Chinese access. Their letter underscores a bipartisan anxiety over foreign involvement in critical transportation infrastructure, though the signatories were all Democrats.
The timing of the letter reflects broader tensions over trade and technology between Washington and Beijing, as the two leaders prepare to meet this week.