It’s likely no surprise that Americans are finding ways to bring Chinese-made vehicles into the United States. The country’s administration has been very against allowing Chinese EVs into the United States (at least usually), leaving Americans to watch the rest of the world get super cheap electric vehicles that are actually pretty cool.
When Canada opened its borders to Chinese EVs, it seemed like a breaking point. China’s affordable vehicles, which are produced at an astonishing rate that terrifies domestic automakers (at least usually), are now in Mexico and Canada. It feels like these cheap EVs are just out of reach. Meanwhile, Americans are stuck buying luxury EVs that are getting pricier. The average price of a new car in America has now reached $50,000. Some TikTok kids marveling at a BYD that snuck into America said: “This car probably costs $15,000, so even with 100% tariffs, it’s still cheaper than the EVs here.”
American lawmakers express concern with Chinese EVs in California
That’s the thing: America hasn’t outright banned Chinese vehicles. Instead, it has continued to stand by a Biden era 100% tariff on imported Chinese vehicles and claims the vehicles don’t meet U.S. safety regulations. Some Americans have had enough.
A collection of Chinese-made vehicles from Mexico has made its way into California. Dealerships in Mexican border cities, like Tijuana’s Zona Rio, are carrying new vehicles of all kinds, including Chinese EVs that are just $20,000. This is so much cheaper than America’s EVs that customers can’t resist the idea of going down there and buying them.
The Trump Administration has caught wind, and lawmakers are now looking to close a border loophole that allows Chinese EVs into America without undergoing safety or emissions testing. Now, they want Chinese vehicles banned completely.
On Thursday, Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) announced that they would be introducing a bill very soon. The statement reads: “Every vehicle on American roads is a rolling data collection device, capturing information on location, movement, people, and infrastructure in real time, and we cannot allow Chinese vehicles or components to be a part of that system.
“The legislation we introduce will show bipartisan support for doing what must be done to protect the manufacturing sector, jobs, and the American people from China’s predatory trade practices and manipulative attacks on American industry.”
Are Chinese EVs actually in the United States?
If you look on social media, there is definitely video evidence of Chinese EVs (like BYD, MG, and Chirey) on the road in Southern California. However, it may not be a widespread issue. And most Americans will still have a tough time getting a Chinese EV.
Most of the Chinese EVs you are seeing are from Mexican residents who work across the border in cities like San Diego. For this specific group of people, driving the Chinese EV to and from work is currently allowed. At least, given the administration’s current policies.
US Customs and Border Protection allows foreign-made registered vehicles to enter the country as long as they are just temporarily visiting. Even if these cars are noncompliant, they can be used for work or vacation. This could very well lead to Chinese EVs being seen on the road around the border. However, Chinese EVs are not being imported into the United States.
And what about those dealerships with Chinese EVs? Well, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told The California Post that these vehicles fall under the US Customs and Border Protection’s rules. They are not for sale for permanent use in the United States and are being sold as visitor vehicles instead.
But apparently, even Mexican residents driving to work in a BYD is too much for the American lawmakers to handle. Even though they aren’t for sale to American buyers, these vehicles are still being accused of threatening American safety.
“The idea that you could have a fleet of these folks driving around major infrastructures sites taking all that data, all that video, all that mapping and sending that back,” Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin said. “As someone who’s from the Pentagon, that is the exact detailed information an adversarial loves to have in their war planning.”
Slotkin’s conspiracies got even crazier. She claimed that these Chinese EVs may be able to access nearby Bluetooth devices and be remotely controlled from Beijing. Uh, yup. And don’t even get her started on these cars going near military bases!
The idea that China is constantly spying on us through phones, apps, and cars has perpetuated a lot of stereotypes and fears surrounding the country. I even remember my friends claiming that Chinese government agents would be reading my phone when I traveled there. I mean, one, I don’t care. Two, doubt it. Anyway, I think this is just another strange argument to create fear amongst American people, with lawmakers hoping to stop us from wanting Chinese EVs.
But I think Americans will eventually demand them.
