Trump does not oppose Chinese cars made in the United States
US President Donald Trump said he would not object to Chinese automakers entering the American market if they manufacture vehicles directly in the United States. He said this on the Fox News program The Ingraham Angle, InsideEVs reports.
Trump said he would not mind if China opened a factory in the United States to produce cars. According to him, Japanese companies already have manufacturing facilities in the country and employ American workers. At the same time, he opposed a scheme under which brands would manufacture cars in Mexico and supply them to the United States while circumventing trade rules.
Restrictions on Chinese manufacturers
Imports of Chinese-made cars into the United States are currently subject to a 100% tariff. In addition, restrictions apply to vehicles that use software or hardware developed by Chinese companies.
Under US Department of Commerce rules, cars with software of Chinese origin will not be allowed to be sold in the country from 2027, while those with hardware of Chinese origin will be barred from 2030. InsideEVs notes that these restrictions complicate the sale of Chinese cars in the United States even if they are manufactured locally.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Politicians' reaction
Trump's statement drew dissatisfaction from some politicians, including Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin. According to the publication, she is one of the co-authors of a bill providing for a complete ban on the sale of Chinese cars in the United States.
Last week, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also criticized Ford over a licensing agreement with Chinese battery manufacturer CATL for a facility in Michigan. At this plant, American workers produce batteries using CATL's licensed technologies and expertise.
Trump had already expressed a similar position during the 2024 election campaign, supporting the sale of Chinese cars in the United States provided they are manufactured in the country.
