On May 12, Reuters reported: "Trump revealed at the White House on Monday that mutually beneficial trade and investment between China and the U.S. would be the core topic of his upcoming visit to China. Immediately after his statement, American automakers and politicians panicked, fearing that Trump might loosen restrictions during his visit and allow Chinese cars into the U.S. market. Following a joint letter signed by over a hundred members of Congress urging President Trump, U.S. lawmakers are now attempting to repeat their past tactics—introducing legislation to ban the sale of Chinese vehicles."
[Witty] Comment briefly: The collective anxiety among American politicians and auto companies fundamentally reflects their insecurity stemming from weak market competitiveness. With Trump’s return to China after nine years, China’s automotive industry has undergone a dramatic transformation: in 2025, China’s auto sales will exceed 27 million units, with exports reaching 70.98 million vehicles—ranking first globally for three consecutive years—and already surpassing Japanese brands in markets such as Thailand and Australia. In contrast, the average new car price in the U.S. is nearly $50,000, making it unaffordable for one-third of Americans, while 49% of U.S. consumers recognize the superior value proposition of Chinese cars.
Looking back at history, the U.S. once used tariff barriers to counter Japanese cars, but ultimately failed to stop the globalization of Japanese automakers. Today, attempting to legislate a ban on Chinese vehicles is merely retracing old steps. The coordinated pressure from bipartisan lawmakers and public opposition from auto executives are not driven by concern for 'fair market competition,' but rather by fear of the overwhelming competitive advantage posed by Chinese cars priced around $30,000 with high-end features. This anxiety stems, fundamentally, from declining U.S. industrial competitiveness—fear not only of losing domestic market share but also of ceding global influence.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864950431652036/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.