Sens. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, and Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., introduced the Connected Vehicle Security Act on Wednesday, a bipartisan measure that would ban Chinese-made automobiles, parts, and vehicle software from the U.S. market. The bill builds on an existing Commerce Department rule restricting such vehicles and aims to codify those restrictions into law.
The legislation comes weeks ahead of President Donald Trump's planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled for mid-May. Both senators cited national security concerns, arguing that internet-linked Chinese vehicles pose surveillance risks to American consumers and infrastructure.
United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain voiced support for the measure. "By building on and strengthening the existing connected vehicles rule, this legislation puts common sense guardrails on a major threat to our nation's auto industry," Fain said in a statement. General Motors also backs the effort.
What the Left Is Saying
Slotkin framed the bill as necessary despite acknowledging cost pressures facing American consumers. "We all understand that with the economy the way it is in the United States that people are looking for cheaper cars," she said. "People are really, really pressed right from every direction, and the one thing that had come down in price over the past year was gas, and now that's spiked up because of the war."
The Michigan Democrat argued that national security must take precedence over short-term affordability concerns. "But as leaders, we have a responsibility to say, 'Look, this is a driving surveillance package, it's like TikTok on wheels.' We all understand the price constraints, but we have a responsibility to protect people's security," she said.
On Tuesday, more than 70 House Democrats signed a letter urging Trump to block Chinese automakers from the U.S. market ahead of his meeting with Xi next month. Slotkin said timing was deliberate: "We are watching very closely what deals come out of that summit."
What the Right Is Saying
Moreno emphasized the bill's role in supporting Trump's agenda to strengthen domestic manufacturing. He said he did not expect the legislation to be on the agenda during Trump's meeting with Xi, but argued it reinforces existing administration priorities.
"What we do is we take that model of the [Commerce Department's] Connected Vehicle Rule and expand it so that [it covers] basically the entire supply chain, but also clarify we don't allow the importation of the cars, even on a temporary basis, into the U.S.," Moreno said. "So we are hermetically sealing the U.S. market from the Chinese auto industry."
The Ohio Republican framed the measure as protecting American workers and competitiveness against what he called unfair trade practices. Both senators argued that Chinese automakers could undercut domestic manufacturers by leveraging lower production costs enabled by state subsidies.
What the Numbers Show
The Commerce Department issued its Connected Vehicle Rule restricting such vehicles and parts from the U.S. market last year, establishing the regulatory foundation this legislation would codify into law.
More than 70 House Democrats signed a letter to Trump as of Tuesday urging him to block Chinese automakers from the U.S. market ahead of his meeting with Xi in mid-May.
China currently commands most of the global electric vehicle market, according to industry analysts cited by both senators during interviews. The geopolitical situation has added complexity: rising fuel prices triggered by conflict in Iran could increase demand for less expensive vehicles, potentially benefiting Chinese manufacturers if they gain U.S. market access.
The Bottom Line
The bill represents a significant legislative push to formalize restrictions that currently exist only as an administrative rule from the Commerce Department. If enacted, it would create statutory authority for banning Chinese vehicles and parts rather than relying on regulatory action alone.
Trump's position remains a variable in the debate. In January, he suggested openness to allowing Chinese automakers into the U.S. market during a speech before the Detroit Economic Club. The May summit with Xi may clarify whether his administration pursues accommodation or continued restriction of Chinese auto imports.
The legislation has united labor unions and major domestic manufacturers behind its national security framing. However, consumer advocates note that restricting lower-cost options could affect purchasing decisions for price-sensitive buyers if prices rise further.