Auto groups unite against Chinese carmakers

Six major trade associations representing every major automaker and 17,000 franchised dealers sent a letter to Trump urging him to keep Chinese automakers out of the U.S. market.

“maintain policies that keep the door firmly shut to Chinese automakers seeking to sell, import or manufacture vehicles inside the U.S.”

Timing matters: Xi visit next week

The letter arrives just before Chinese President Xi Jinping's expected visit to Washington, signaling industry pressure on Trump during sensitive diplomatic talks.

Trump recently said yes to Chinese plants

On September 11, Trump told Fox News he would allow Chinese automakers to build manufacturing plants in the U.S., contradicting the industry's position.

“If China wanted to come in and open a plant to build their cars here, I'd be OK with it.”

Defense and manufacturing at stake

The auto industry argues that allowing Chinese entry would hollow out domestic manufacturing capacity and weaken the nation's ability to respond during emergencies.

“Once that base is hollowed out, it can't be rebuilt overnight.”

Chinese subsidies create unfair advantage

Chinese automakers receive heavy government subsidies and are rapidly expanding globally, giving them an unfair competitive edge that threatens American companies.

Rare unified industry message

This letter represents the broadest coalition yet from the auto industry, including Tesla, foreign automakers, dealers, and suppliers all backing the same position.