A leading auto industry group is urging Congress to enact a full ban on Chinese-made cars, parts and software, pointing to data privacy and national security concerns. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI), which represents major automakers, made the request in a letter to congressional leaders this week.
John Bozzella, the AAI’s CEO and president, asked lawmakers to prohibit the selling, importing and manufacturing of Chinese-made vehicles, hardware and software. The group pressed for action before Congress ends its session for the year, framing the issue as urgent.
What the Proposed Ban Would Cover
The request aligns with existing bipartisan momentum in Washington. The Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 would prohibit the importation, manufacture, sale, resale, or introduction into US interstate commerce of connected vehicles and related software and hardware components associated with China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea.
In the letter, Bozzella argued that the Chinese government’s policies are rooted in a documented pattern of unfair trade, subsidies, intellectual property theft and surveillance. The AAI said a permanent ban would signal that China’s push to dominate global automotive manufacturing would be met with a national security policy response from the US government.
Chinese EVs and the US Market
Chinese vehicles, and electric vehicles in particular, have gained popularity worldwide largely because of their affordability. Those low prices are tied in part to significant government subsidies received by Chinese automakers. For now, high tariffs effectively block Chinese automakers from selling directly to US consumers.
Established automakers that already sell in the US have faced their own scrutiny over driver data privacy. In 2025, the Federal Trade Commission ordered General Motors not to sell driver data for five years. That same year, a Consumer Reports investigation found that nearly every automaker collects and shares data on driver behavior.
The AAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Its letter was sent to congressional leaders this week, ahead of the end of the current legislative session.
