Senate Vote on Permanent Chinese Vehicle Ban Pushed to Next Week

Two US senators pushing for a permanent legislative ban on Chinese vehicles in the United States have postponed their plan to use a fast-track Senate procedure until next week, hoping to secure the support of a lone Republican opponent.

Republican Senator Bernie Moreno and Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin had intended to seek approval for the procedure, which requires unanimous backing in the Senate, on Thursday. Instead, they will hold talks with Republican Senator Rand Paul, who has raised concerns about the measure, congressional aides said. Paul's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and he told reporters he would continue discussing his concerns over the weekend and into next week.

Moreno said he was hopeful the bill would clear the Senate next week and that the same legislation would pass in November, when the House of Representatives returns to session. Slotkin said all Democrats support moving ahead and that only one Republican opposes the measure, describing the tally as "99 to 1." Under the fast-track procedure, a single opponent can block approval.

China produces nearly four times as many cars as the United States, Moreno said, adding that Congress must ensure hundreds of thousands of American auto jobs are not exposed to "total domination" by Chinese car companies. Slotkin, of Michigan, warned that allowing Chinese companies into the US market would mark the beginning of the end for the domestic auto industry.

The bill has gained significant momentum, with a House version now topping 100 co-sponsors, and automakers and legislative aides hoping for full passage this year. It has 51 Senate supporters and would write the ban into law, preventing the White House from issuing waivers to Chinese manufacturers to sell vehicles in the United States.

The push comes as President Donald Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, with a wide range of trade issues on the agenda. China has strongly opposed the US vehicle ban and efforts to make it permanent. Earlier this month, Trump told Fox News he would accept Chinese car companies building cars in the United States, sparking alarm among automakers. Last week, automakers, suppliers and dealers urged Trump to maintain policies that keep the door firmly shut to Chinese automakers seeking to sell, import or manufacture vehicles inside the US.

A regulation imposed by former President Joe Biden's administration in early 2025 effectively banned all Chinese automakers from selling or building passenger vehicles in the US because they could send sensitive driver data to China. Washington also maintains tariffs of more than 100% on Chinese electric vehicles.

Senator Ted Cruz said earlier that the bill would bar companies with more than 15% ownership by Chinese entities from selling vehicles in the US. That could affect Mercedes-Benz because of Chinese investors' nearly 20% stake. Moreno said Mercedes-Benz would have until 2030 to comply and could still receive waivers if needed, while Slotkin said conversations about how the company could comply are ongoing.