US auto workers union urges Congress to keep its eye on Chinese automakers
XLY•The United Auto Workers urged US lawmakers to keep the House China Select Committee in place, citing concerns about Chinese automakers, electric-vehicle overcapacity and offshoring. Congress has yet to make permanent a ban on Chinese autos.
1. UAW urges continued focus
The United Auto Workers urged House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to keep the House China Select Committee in place when Democrats take over. The union cited global electric-vehicle overcapacity, Chinese ownership of Western automakers and continued offshoring to China.
2. Committee and auto ban
The committee has investigated Ford's partnership with Chinese battery company CATL and an abandoned plan by a Gotion subsidiary to build a $2.4 billion battery-materials plant in Michigan. Congress has yet to pass legislation making a ban on Chinese autos permanent; Senator Bernie Moreno said he was close to a deal and hoped for a Senate vote as early as next week.
3. Restrictions and lobbying
A regulation imposed in early 2025 effectively banned Chinese automakers from selling or building passenger vehicles in the United States, citing the risk that driver data could be sent to China. The United States also maintains tariffs of more than 100% on Chinese electric vehicles, while a group representing General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen and other automakers is lobbying Congress to complete work on the ban this year.
