US senators delay effort to permanently ban Chinese cars
XLY•Senators Bernie Moreno and Elissa Slotkin delayed until next week a fast-track effort to advance a permanent ban on Chinese vehicles, while they seek support from holdout Senator Rand Paul. The bill has 51 Senate supporters, and its sponsors hope the House will take it up in November.
1. Senate vote delayed
Moreno and Slotkin postponed their planned Thursday effort to win Senate approval for a fast-track procedure requiring unanimous support. They plan to discuss the bill with Paul, who has raised concerns, and Moreno said he hoped it would be approved next week.
2. Bill details and support
The bill would make the vehicle ban law and prevent the White House from issuing waivers to Chinese manufacturers. It has 51 Senate supporters, and a House version has more than 100 co-sponsors. Moreno said China makes nearly four times as many cars as the United States, while Slotkin said she understood the support stood at 99 to 1.
3. Automaker concerns
Automakers, suppliers and dealers have urged President Donald Trump to keep Chinese automakers from selling, importing or manufacturing vehicles in the United States. The bill could also affect Mercedes-Benz because Chinese investors hold nearly 20% of the company; Moreno said it would have until 2030 to comply and could seek waivers.
