Automakers Call on Trump to Exclude Chinese Brands Before Xi Visit

WHO:

CNBC - President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Vice President of China Han Zheng, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

IJR - U.S. auto industry groups, lawmakers, Detroit’s big three automakers.

WHAT:

CNBC - The American automotive industry urged President Trump to maintain or implement policies that would prevent Chinese automakers from operating in the U.S.

CNBC - A letter to Trump from U.S. automotive industry groups requested that he "maintain policies that keep the door firmly shut to Chinese automakers seeking to sell, import or manufacture vehicles inside the U.S."

CNBC - The letter was signed by leaders of six trade associations representing every major automaker operating in the U.S., including Tesla and foreign automakers, as well as approximately 17,000 franchised dealers.

IJR - The auto industry warned that subsidies and linked technologies from Chinese automakers threaten American manufacturing, jobs, and national security.

WHERE:

CNBC - The letter was addressed to President Trump in Washington.

IJR - The concerns were raised by the automotive industry based in the United States.

WHEN:

CNBC - The letter to Trump was dated Thursday.

CNBC - Trump stated on September 11 that he would permit Chinese automakers to move manufacturing to the U.S.

CNBC - Trump is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week.

WHY:

CNBC - The automotive industry argues that allowing Chinese automakers to manufacture in the U.S. would undermine fair competition and jeopardize progress in preventing "Chinese dominance in key industries."

IJR - The pushback against allowing Chinese carmakers to build in the U.S. is motivated by concerns over the impact on American automakers and workers.

HOW:

CNBC - The automotive industry expressed its concerns through a letter to President Trump, representing a unified coalition of industry leaders.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 19:01 UTC)

The American automotive industry has sent a letter to President Trump urging him to maintain policies that would prevent Chinese automakers from operating in the U.S. This letter, signed by leaders of six trade associations and representing major automakers and approximately 17,000 franchised dealers, warns that subsidies and technologies from Chinese companies could threaten American manufacturing, jobs, and national security. As Trump prepares to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week, the industry is concerned that allowing Chinese manufacturers to set up shop in the U.S. would undermine fair competition and hinder efforts to prevent Chinese dominance in key sectors.