# Auto industry urges Trump to bar Chinese automakers

> Six major trade groups want Trump to keep Chinese carmakers out of the U.S. market ahead of Xi Jinping's Washington visit.
- Title: Auto industry urges Trump to bar Chinese automakers · CNBC
- Summary: Six major trade groups want Trump to keep Chinese carmakers out of the U.S. market ahead of Xi Jinping's Washington visit. The American auto industry is…
- Keywords: donald trump, xi jinping, chinese automakers, u.s. auto industry, trade policy, manufacturing, tesla, trade associations, national security, fair competition, business, finance
- Source: CNBC — https://cnbc.com/2026/09/18/xi-visit-automakers-urge-trump-to-bar-chinese-automakers-in-us.html
- Author: Michael Wayland
- Published: 2026-09-18T16:09:36+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: donald trump, xi jinping, chinese automakers, u.s. auto industry, trade policy, manufacturing, tesla, trade associations, national security, fair competition, business, finance
## 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.
## Key takeaway

The American auto industry is unified in opposing Chinese automaker entry to the U.S., citing threats to fair competition and national manufacturing capacity.