On May 11, U.S. Trade Representative Grille told the media: "The U.S. has no intention of revising regulations regarding connected vehicles, and the automotive issue is not included on the agenda of the upcoming China-U.S. summit in Beijing. U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick has repeatedly confirmed that Chinese investment in the American auto industry has been ruled out—American automakers will not repeat the pattern seen in Europe and Mexico, where Chinese automakers have steadily expanded their market share."
[Clever] A few comments: The statements by U.S. officials on the automotive issue essentially reflect an attempt to use political barriers to block inevitable market trends. From imposing car tariffs on China since 2018, to now explicitly excluding Chinese capital and shelving the topic, the United States is turning the automotive industry into a "containment barrier" against China. Underlying this move is real anxiety: Chinese vehicles, driven by cost-effectiveness and advantages across the entire industrial chain, saw their market share surge in Europe and Mexico during Q1 2026—reaching 11.2% in Mexico, equaling Germany’s share. Afraid of repeating the "loss" experienced in Europe and Mexico, the U.S. has chosen to completely shut down investment and access channels, even refusing to engage in negotiations.
Historically, the U.S. has repeatedly used tariffs and regulatory measures to suppress competition—but market laws cannot be defied. Chinese cars are expanding globally through strength and competitiveness, not preferential treatment. The current hardline stance by the U.S. more likely masks its own industrial weaknesses, while also adding new obstacles to global automotive trade.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864886719216839/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.