The US Senate Commerce Committee is set to vote on 15 July on bipartisan legislation aimed at reinforcing a government ban on Chinese automakers entering the American market, Reuters reported.
The bill was introduced in April by Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio and Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan.
It would write into law a regulation imposed by the former US President Joe Biden administration that effectively bars all Chinese automakers from selling passenger vehicles in the US, while also taking additional steps intended to stop China from entering the US light-duty vehicle market.
A similar version of the Senate measure has also been introduced by House lawmakers.
Under the legislation, vehicles designed in China would be banned if they include advanced connectivity as well as vehicle software.
In January 2025, the Biden administration introduced broad regulations intended to block Chinese automakers from selling passenger vehicles in the US.
The administration cited national security concerns related to the ability of vehicles to gather sensitive data on American owners.
In March, auto trade groups representing nearly all major carmakers, including the Detroit Three, Volkswagen, Hyundai and Toyota, as well as parts manufacturers and auto dealers, called on the US government to exclude Chinese carmakers.
They cited “serious concerns about China's ongoing efforts to dominate global automotive manufacturing and to gain access to the US market”.
The groups also said that China poses “a direct threat to America's global competitiveness, national security, and automotive industrial base”.
Last month, Polestar said it had been compelled by the Trump administration to halt US vehicle sales from the 2027 model year, as Washington increases restrictions on Chinese vehicles.
Chinese autos are subject to high tariffs in the US, although recent surveys indicate growing consumer interest.
Lower-priced Chinese electric vehicles have also gained significant market share in Mexico and Europe.
In January, US President Donald Trump said he was open to Chinese automakers producing vehicles in the US.
However, no change to auto policy was announced after a Trump-Xi summit in May.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington has repeatedly opposed US measures targeting Chinese vehicles.
