U.S. Representatives John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) have introduced legislation aimed at prohibiting certain Chinese-manufactured vehicles, along with their associated software and hardware, from entering the U.S. market. The proposed bill, titled the “Connected Vehicle Security Act,” addresses escalating national security apprehensions related to the data collection capabilities inherent in modern automobiles. This legislative effort mirrors previous bipartisan initiatives in the Senate, spearheaded by Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), which sought to formalize existing Biden administration restrictions on connected vehicles.

Supporters of the legislation assert that “connected vehicles,” which integrate internet access and wireless communication technologies, could pose substantial national security risks if developed or controlled by entities tied to adversarial foreign governments. These concerns primarily revolve around the potential for sensitive data to be collected and misused. The timing of this legislative push is particularly significant, preceding a scheduled meeting between former President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and occurring amid speculation that Trump might consider easing current restrictions on China’s automotive sector. Representative Dingell highlighted the perceived uneven playing field, citing Chinese subsidies, currency manipulation, and alleged use of forced labor as unfair competitive advantages, asserting that China aims “to get inside our country and fight us from within.”

The “Connected Vehicle Security Act” outlines specific timelines for its prohibitions: restrictions on connected vehicle software would commence on January 1, 2027, with hardware limitations taking effect on January 1, 2030. The scope of the bill extends beyond China to include other nations such as Russia, North Korea, and Iran. This legislative initiative comes amidst growing warnings from American automakers, suppliers, dealers, and steel manufacturers, who caution that heavily subsidized Chinese automotive companies could severely undermine the U.S. industrial base if granted unrestricted market access. Despite past suggestions from Trump about allowing Chinese automakers to establish factories in the U.S. if they employed American workers, both Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer have since affirmed there are no current plans to roll back existing trade barriers. Representative Dingell underscored the political urgency, noting, “With President Trump, you never quite know what he’s going to do until he does it,” emphasizing that the legislative action serves as a clear message to safeguard the future of American auto workers and the domestic automotive industry.