Senator Sherrod Brown, chair of the Senate Banking Committee, has called on President Joe Biden to take decisive action against Chinese-made vehicles entering the U.S. market.
In a letter, Brown urged Biden to implement a permanent ban on electric vehicles (EVs) produced by Chinese companies, emphasizing the threat they pose to the American auto industry. This marks the strongest stance yet from a U.S. lawmaker on the issue.
While Biden has previously acknowledged the risks posed by China’s auto policies, the White House has not yet responded to Brown’s plea.
Concerns over Chinese EVs flooding the U.S. market have prompted calls for action, with Brown advocating for a permanent ban rather than just imposing tariffs.
In February, auto industry insiders revealed that the Biden administration was considering tariff hikes on Chinese EVs. Brown’s letter adds to mounting pressure on the White House to take concrete steps to address the influx of Chinese vehicles.
The Commerce Department has initiated an investigation into the national security implications of Chinese vehicle imports, particularly regarding “connected” car technology that could compromise Americans’ data security.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo emphasized the urgency of identifying and mitigating such risks to protect American workers.
Although relatively few Chinese vehicles are imported into the U.S., concerns persist about potential subsidies and unfair advantages that Chinese automakers may enjoy.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has previously urged U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to increase tariffs on Chinese vehicles.
The Chinese embassy in Washington has rejected calls for tariff hikes, asserting that China’s auto exports reflect the country’s manufacturing prowess.
Despite this, Brown’s call for a ban underscores the growing bipartisan concern over China’s impact on the U.S. auto industry and national security.
