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Senate punts bill to permanently ban Chinese cars until after midterm elections
AP News ^ | September 30, 2026 | JOEY CAPPELLETTI and DIDI TANG

Posted on 10/01/2026 6:51:53 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican

Legislation to permanently ban the sale of Chinese vehicles in the United States stalled out on Wednesday as senators struggled to seal an agreement, virtually guaranteeing that the bill will have to wait until after the November elections.

The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio and Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, aims to prevent China’s auto industry from gaining a foothold in the U.S. market. It would ban the import, manufacture and sale of internet-connected vehicles, software and hardware linked to China or other foreign adversaries, including Russia and North Korea.

Chinese automakers are already effectively banned from selling or building vehicles in the U.S. under a policy put into place by the Biden administration, but senators are hoping to more permanently shut the door.

The summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump in Washington last week, which focused in part on trade between the world’s two largest economies, had given the legislation renewed momentum. Slotkin said nearly every senator was prepared to support it, and they had initially planned to seek passage last week without a formal roll call vote.

Senators delayed action to continue negotiations with the lone holdout, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who argued the legislation could unfairly sweep in Mercedes-Benz. The bill would bar vehicles made by companies with more than a 15% ownership stake from Chinese entities. Mercedes-Benz has nearly 20% passive Chinese ownership.

Supporters say they will try again after the elections. But the delay is a setback for bipartisan legislation that has drawn support from automakers and labor unions as Washington grapples with the growing global reach of China’s auto industry — and concerns about potential surveillance technology.

(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...


TOPICS: China; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS:
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1 posted on 10/01/2026 6:51:53 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
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To: MinorityRepublican

Because they’re cheaper than the electric cars now available in the USA?

So long as we continue to import other Chinese crap, singling out affordable cars for embargo is foolish.


2 posted on 10/01/2026 7:11:40 PM PDT by Bob Wills is still the king (Wake up and smell the coffee!)
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To: MinorityRepublican

We already import one Chinese vehicle made in China and sold here in the US.

The Buick Envision.


3 posted on 10/01/2026 7:17:15 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
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To: MinorityRepublican
the lone holdout, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who argued the legislation could unfairly sweep in Mercedes-Benz

Unfairly? Screw Mercedes-Benz. It is mostly responsible for why we can’t import younger than 25 year old foreign vehicles now, including nice Japanese cars and trucks that you can’t buy here. It lobbied Congress in the late ‘80’s because people were importing cheaper grey market European versions of MB cars and undercutting domestic MB dealers and sales. They used the excuse of safety and emissions but were ok if the vehicle was more than 25 years old? Please.

4 posted on 10/01/2026 7:34:15 PM PDT by mikey_hates_everything
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To: Bob Wills is still the king

China has a new electric car for $1500 and it looks like a mini Cooper.
They also have a no frills pickup with a dump bed for $3000.
I thought we were a capitalist society where if you can’t compete you crashed and burned. Guess the auto workers wouldn’t like that.


5 posted on 10/01/2026 7:36:30 PM PDT by Keyhopper (Indians had bad immigration laws)
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To: Keyhopper

Yep,but not at the cost of American jobs to a communist country that wants to destroy us.


6 posted on 10/01/2026 7:43:03 PM PDT by Ronald77 ( )
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To: All

A fair amount of elected officials are controlled by the red Chinese.


7 posted on 10/01/2026 7:44:11 PM PDT by escapefromboston (Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.)
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To: Ronald77

Capitalism means importing endless cheap labor and destroying native industries at the alter of globalism.


8 posted on 10/01/2026 7:46:11 PM PDT by escapefromboston (Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.)
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To: MinorityRepublican

That Chinese Communist Party dictator said they’ll control the world in 30 years


9 posted on 10/01/2026 7:52:40 PM PDT by butlerweave (Fateh)
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To: Ronald77

“Yep,but not at the cost of American jobs to a communist country that wants to destroy us.”
____________________________________________________________

Sounds like those evil Commies are better at Capitalism these days than we are.


10 posted on 10/01/2026 7:57:38 PM PDT by Bob Wills is still the king (Wake up and smell the coffee!)
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To: escapefromboston

“Capitalism means importing endless cheap labor and destroying native industries at the alter of globalism.”
____________________________________________________________

So are you anti-capitalism now? Interesting position for a FReeper to take.


11 posted on 10/01/2026 7:59:00 PM PDT by Bob Wills is still the king (Wake up and smell the coffee!)
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To: Bob Wills is still the king

Capitalism can be good or bad.
Socialism is always bad.


12 posted on 10/01/2026 8:00:55 PM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: MinorityRepublican

Gotta wait until they know which way the wind is blowing.


13 posted on 10/01/2026 8:12:52 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (The right of the Democrats to embezzle elections shall not be infringed. )
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To: Bob Wills is still the king

No it doesn’t.


14 posted on 10/01/2026 8:18:25 PM PDT by escapefromboston (Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.)
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To: MinorityRepublican

Your employers:

* China, autos

* India, Iowa steel

* South Korea, energy, Texas power plant

* Japan, La. and Tx.https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/16/mitsubishi-shale-gas-assets-texas-louisiana-deal.html

Border closed?


15 posted on 10/01/2026 8:23:11 PM PDT by Varsity Flight ( "War by 🙏 the prophesied set before you." ) I Timothy 1:18. Nazarite warriors. 10.5.6.5 These Days)
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To: Responsibility2nd

“We already import one Chinese vehicle made in China and sold here in the US.

The Buick Envision.”

Volvo is entirely China owned by Geely , until 2024 and the tariffs many Volvo where shipped in from China now they come from Belgium or Sweden at much higher costs and the South Carolina plant is done its China owned but us labor and a slew of H1Bs for sure.

Every S90 until 2024, S60, XC60 too were all Chinese made until 24.


16 posted on 10/02/2026 12:26:43 AM PDT by GenXPolymath
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