Full Breakdown
Bipartisan Michigan Lawmakers Push Bill to Ban Chinese Connected Vehicles
5/14/2026, 8:57:00 PM
The Connected Vehicle Act
On May 11, Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) introduced the Connected Vehicle Act, banning import, manufacture and sale of U.S. passenger cars with software or hardware from China or foreign-adversary nations. The bill mirrors a Senate version by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) and expands the January 2025 Biden executive order restricting Chinese automotive technology. President Donald Trump readies for a May 13-15 summit in Beijing.
Economic and Security Stakes
Lawmakers say Chinese-subsidized vehicles erode sales in Europe, Canada and Mexico, causing factory closures and job losses. Whitmer warned connected-car software could harvest “countless pieces of information about Americans,” a security risk. Bill aims to protect 500,000 Michigan auto jobs and data integrity while blocking Chinese brands Chery, Geely and BYD.
Official Statements
Rep. John Moolenaar, chair of the House Select Committee on China, and Rep. Debbie Dingell, co-sponsor, framed the legislation as essential to safeguard manufacturing jobs and counter China’s “predatory trade practices.” Dingell highlighted the rarity of bipartisan cooperation and pledged to fight the proposal “with all of our might.” Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer stressed the auto sector’s role in the national economy and warned cheap, subsidized Chinese vehicles jeopardize that foundation. Leaders of automotive lobbying groups echoed the sentiment, calling Chinese automotive expansion a threat to America’s competitiveness.
Opposition
Trump has advocated letting Chinese automakers build U.S. plants, saying in January, “Let China come in… they’re using our labor.” The Chinese embassy urged United States to “stop overstretching national security,” arguing the bill exceeds security concerns.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This legislation that Debbie and I have introduced shows bipartisan support for doing what must be done to protect manufacturing sector jobs and the American people from China's predatory trade practices and manipulative attacks on American industry,” — John Moolenaar, U.S. Representative
- “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.” — Donald Trump, President of the United States
- “Unfortunately, there are ... too few, rare bipartisan moments these days in Congress,” — Debbie Dingell, U.S. Representative
- “stop overstretching the concept of national security.” — Chinese Embassy, Washington
What’s Next
The bill moves to committee markup and, if approved, to floor debate as the Trump-Xi summit proceeds. Lawmakers warn any post-summit agreement easing restrictions on Chinese automotive investment would trigger legislative action to block market entry. The summit’s outcome and upcoming votes will decide whether the United States codifies a permanent ban on Chinese-connected vehicles.
