Moolenaar and Dingell Introduce Legislation That Would Ban Chinese Vehicles from U.S. Roads

Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) have introduced the Connected Vehicle Security Act. The legislation would prohibit the importation, manufacture, and sale of connected vehicles, software, and hardware linked to China.

"The American auto industry is vital for jobs, national security, and the future of America’s manufacturing base. China cheats in every industry, and in autos it is overproducing vehicles and components, and selling them for cheap in hopes they will put our companies out of business. In some cases, Chinese companies, including CATL and BYD, use slave labor to undercut the fair wages of hardworking Americans. These companies should not be allowed to do business in America, and their products shouldn’t be in our cars or threatening our infrastructure,” said Moolenaar.

“This bipartisan legislation will ban Chinese vehicles from coming into our country and undercutting our workers through massive government subsidies, unfair trade practices, and slave labor. I am not interested in repeating the mistakes that hollowed out manufacturing communities across this country while politicians told workers globalization would somehow magically work itself out. America can compete with anyone in the world when there’s a level playing field because there is nobody better than the American worker. Auto workers are facing uncertainty, but I am certain about one thing: the future of the American auto industry must be built by American workers,” said Dingell. 

Background

Modern vehicles integrate advanced communications technology capable of collecting and transmitting vast amounts of sensitive data, including location, operational data, and personal information. In some cases, the vehicles can also be remotely accessed and controlled. China now exports nearly 8 million vehicles annually, approximately twice the volume of any other country. The country’s automotive companies operate under Chinese law that forces them to cooperate with China’ state security and intelligence services upon demand.

The Connected Vehicle Security Act builds on the work of two administrations. In 2019, President Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency with respect to foreign threats to America's information and communications technology supply chain, establishing the legal authority for the federal government to act. The Biden Administration used that authority to finalize regulations in January 2025 prohibiting connected vehicle software and hardware linked to China and Russia. The Connected Vehicle Security Act expands those protections in statute. 

What the Bill Does

• Prohibits the importation, manufacture, sale, or introduction into U.S. commerce of connected vehicles originating from or controlled by a covered foreign adversary country, effective January 1, 2027
• Prohibits connected vehicle software and hardware linked to covered foreign adversaries, with software prohibitions effective January 1, 2027 and hardware prohibitions effective January 1, 2030
• Covers China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran
• Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a declaration of conformity process, authorization and waiver procedures, and a binding ruling and advisory opinion mechanism for industry compliance
• Establishes civil penalties of at least $1.5 million for each violation of the law.

Read the full bill text here. A companion version of the bill was introduced in the Senate.