The upcoming Trump-Xi summit could change everything for the United States automotive market. It’s possible that President Donald Trump will allow Chinese EVs into the country, and domestic automakers and lawmakers are freaking out.
Trump has been pretty wishy-washy on the whole Chinese EV thing. It seemed he was opposed to China early on, maintaining the Biden administration’s 100% tariffs on vehicles imported from China and claiming that TikTok would pose a threat if it remained under Chinese ownership. But since then, Trump has seemed back-and-forth on the matter. Three months ago, he said “let them come in.”
He said in January: “If they want to come in and build the plant and hire you and hire your friends and your neighbors, that’s great. I love that. Let China come in, let Japan come in. They are, and they’ll be building plants, but they’re using our labor.”
With Trump about to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the country is in a panic. Last month, 120 lawmakers urged Trump to keep the borders closed. But will he listen?
″[With] President Trump, you never quite know what he’s going to do until he does it,” Rep. Debbie Dingell said. “So what we’re all trying to do is to send a message to him. The future of the American auto worker and the American auto industry and he needs and wants to protect it.”
Will Donald Trump allow Chinese EVs after Trump-Xi summit?
As the summit approaches, even more people have come forward to demand that Trump not change his mind about Chinese EVs (again). But they are doing more than just begging this time. Now, more legislation is being written up, hoping to keep Chinese EVs out of the country by law. Right now, Chinese EVs are technically allowed in the U.S. with some loopholes, since they are only barred by import fees and safety regulations. This includes the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026, which would “defend” the American auto industry from “predatory” Chinese autos by banning them and their components outright.
But when you listen to what these lawmakers are saying, I think you should be very upset. It’s all just a way to control Americans, and pretty condescending.
“I think we all understand the desire for a cheap car, just like I understand my nieces and nephews wanting to use TikTok and not caring that their data goes back to Beijing,” Senator Elissa Slotkin said at a recent Washington event. “We have to care as leaders, even when people are laser-focused just on cost.”
Ah yes, because American citizens who just want affordable vehicles don’t know what’s good for them. They are complete morons who are willing to sell out America just to buy a car. Traitors! Can you believe these broke families want a $7,500 car? Think of the data! Think of Dodge! Think of the lawmakers who made their fortune at car dealerships! Don’t worry, the American government will protect you from your dumb decisions. Your data is safe with us and our car brands.
We all know why American auto lobbying organizations and lawmakers are against Chinese EVs by now. These vehicles are super cheap — some are even reportedly under $10,000 (although they’d be more once they’re in America). American brands can’t keep up with the production rate or pricing. Representative Don Beyer (who Politico reports is part of a family that built a car dealership before entering Congress) said that BYD “terrifies” him because its models are “so inexpensive” that they would “destroy every other car company’s investment in electric vehicles.”
I mean, BYD and other Chinese automakers already have from outside the United States. Domestic brands have largely pivoted from EV-heavy plans, although Ford is forging ahead with is $40,000 lineup (with the help of partnerships with Chinese brands). But this has left America in an even worse situation. Not only can’t the average American buy a new car, but we are also being left in the dust. Europe and Asia are advancing in the EV market while the U.S. stubbornly refuses. These continents are also selling Chinese EVs, providing citizens with more options.
Even Canada got FOMO and opened its borders. Chinese EVs are now in Mexico and Canada, leaving the United States a barren wasteland full of overpriced luxury EVs sitting on lots right in between the two. Chinese EVs are honing in, and this summit might be a big catalyst. A survey by Cox Automotive found that 38% of Americans would consider buying a Chinese EV. Younger Americans are especially interested, bombarded with TikToks showcasing the futuristic features of cheap Chinese EVs.
But who cares what those morons want? Am I right? The Alliance for American Manufacturing, which has 54,000 members, has spent the past few weeks urging representatives to tell Trump not to even discuss Chinese EVs at all. However, some believe Trump will change his mind and allow Chinese EVs to create U.S. jobs and get more support. Plus, it would see the stock market skyrocket, which is something Trump has always seemed to consider in his plans. Plus, “the Chinese” are very, very sneaky, warn some other groups. If Trump can stay awake long enough, he could be easily convinced.
“The Chinese are very good at infiltrating, influencing and persuasion,” said Rachel McCleery, executive director of the Coalition for Reimagined Mobility at Securing America’s Future Energy, a nonprofit. “They’re doing what they do best when it comes to getting people on board with the product they have to offer that they don’t currently have market access to offer.”
So be warned: You could very well see some cheap EVs very soon. The horror!
