Ford Motor CompanyFord-backed legislation would restrict connected vehicles linked to China, while Ford also held talks on a framework for Chinese manufacturing in the U.S.
President Donald Trump said he would be open to Chinese automakers building vehicles in the United States with American workers, while pledging to maintain restrictions that have effectively shut Chinese-made cars out of the U.S. market. In a Fox News interview, Trump rejected reports that he could allow vehicles built in China to be imported, saying the domestic market could be "overrun" if existing restrictions were lifted, and drew a distinction between imports and Chinese companies manufacturing inside the U.S., comparing such investment with production by Japanese automakers. "If China wanted to come in, and open a plant to build their cars here, I'd be okay with it," Trump said, adding that Chinese manufacturers would need to hire American workers. The comments come ahead of a planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, and follow similar remarks in January; Ford Chief Executive Jim Farley and Trump administration officials also held preliminary discussions earlier this year about a possible framework under which Chinese companies could manufacture cars in the U.S. with protections for domestic automakers, though no decisions were reached. The prospect remains politically contentious, with Senators Elissa Slotkin and Bernie Moreno introducing legislation backed by Ford, General Motors and the United Auto Workers that would restrict connected vehicles, software and hardware linked to China and other countries considered U.S. adversaries, and prohibit sales of connected vehicles from automakers more than 15% owned by Chinese entities.
Ford Motor CompanyFord-backed legislation would restrict connected vehicles linked to China, while Ford also held talks on a framework for Chinese manufacturing in the U.S.
General Motors CompanyGM backs legislation restricting China-linked connected vehicles, but a possible framework for Chinese plants in the U.S. could also affect it.
Geely Automobile Holdings LtdTrump said he would be open to Chinese automakers building cars in the U.S., a potential opening for Geely despite existing import restrictions.
BYD Co Ltd Class ATrump's openness to Chinese automakers manufacturing in the U.S. could benefit BYD, though imports of Chinese-built cars would remain restricted.