Full Breakdown
U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno Critiques Electric Vehicle Competition with China
12/3/2025, 8:20:40 AM
Moreno's Stance on Electric Vehicles
During an auto industry conference on December 2, 2025, Republican U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno from Ohio expressed strong opposition to the United States' efforts to compete with China in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. Moreno criticized the Biden administration's aggressive emissions targets and federal support for EVs, labeling these policies as "irrational" and "dumb." He argued that the U.S. was once a leader in internal combustion engine technology but has now fallen behind due to a misguided shift toward electric vehicles, which he believes plays into China's hands.
Moreno highlighted the growing market share of Chinese automakers in Europe, which nearly doubled to over 5% of new vehicle sales in the first half of 2025, according to data from JATO Dynamics Ltd. He warned that allowing Chinese vehicles into the U.S. market could jeopardize the American auto industry, stating, "You have to be insane to allow the Chinese to take over the auto industry all over the world in a predatory way like that."
Criticism of Current Policies
The senator's remarks included a critique of American allies for permitting Chinese automobiles to enter their markets, suggesting that this practice undermines U.S. industrial strength. Moreno emphasized that the Chinese automotive sector, supported by government subsidies, is not engaged in healthy competition but rather aims to dominate the global market. He stated, "They're here to destroy," referring to the potential impact of Chinese manufacturers on the U.S. auto industry.
Moreno also pointed to policy changes made during the Trump administration, which he claims have rolled back the Biden-era push for EVs. He noted congressional actions that canceled stringent state-level EV regulations and eliminated federal EV subsidies, framing these changes as necessary to protect American interests.
Official Statements & Responses
In response to questions about balancing support for traditional internal combustion engines with the need for innovation in automotive technologies, Moreno remained firm in his position. He dismissed the notion that electric vehicles represent true innovation, arguing that the technology has existed since 1910. He stated, "I'm all for innovation, but having a car driven by a 2,000-pound battery is not innovation in my mind."
Moreno concluded his remarks by asserting that consumer preferences should dictate the direction of automakers, rather than government mandates. He reiterated, "We're not going to play (China's) game. We're playing our game, and we're not going to allow these cars to come into the U.S. market."
Verbatim Quotes
- “We were ahead of them by a mile, by 10 miles, on the internal combustion engine. They went into EVs, and then they convinced the Western world to go into EVs and play their game,” — Bernie Moreno, U.S. Senator
- “You have to be insane to allow the Chinese to take over the auto industry all over the world in a predatory way like that,” — Bernie Moreno, U.S. Senator
- “Electric vehicles were around in 1910. It's not like this new technology.” — Bernie Moreno, U.S. Senator
- “We're not going to play (China's) game. We're playing our game, and we're not going to allow these cars to come into the U.S. market,” — Bernie Moreno, U.S. Senator
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Moreno's statements reflect a clear opposition to current EV policies and competition with China, there is a lack of detailed data on the potential consequences of abandoning EV initiatives. Additionally, the perspectives of other industry stakeholders, including those advocating for EV adoption, are not represented in the current discourse, highlighting a gap in the broader conversation about the future of the automotive industry in the U.S.
