Protecting America from Chinese Cars Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]
Introduced
Summary
Stops connected vehicles tied to certain foreign adversaries from entering the United States. It targets cars made in or designed in North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran and vehicles linked to companies controlled by those countries.
Show full summary
- Families and drivers: Consumers could see some models blocked from import if those cars are tied to covered countries. This may limit choices for buyers of vehicles that rely on wireless connectivity.
- Automakers and importers: Vehicles are covered when the maker is owned or controlled by a covered-country entity. The bill bars entry when more than 15 percent ownership or control exists and preserves a testing exception for non-road vehicles brought by U.S.-organized entities that are less than 25 percent owned by covered-country entities.
- Federal enforcement and authorizations: U.S. Customs and Border Protection would enforce the ban and could issue narrow authorizations after a written risk assessment and at least a 60-day congressional review. The agency must publish a list of authorized vehicles and provide a manufacturer application process by January 1, 2027.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Ban on some foreign connected cars
This bill would bar certain "connected vehicles" from entering the United States. A connected vehicle would be banned if its country of origin or design is North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran. A vehicle would also be banned if the maker is more than 15% owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by entities from those countries. The ban would start 30 days after the implementing regulations are published in the Federal Register.
New authorization for covered vehicles
The bill would let the Customs Commissioner, with the Commerce Secretary, authorize some otherwise-banned connected vehicles. The Secretary must find, with clear and convincing evidence and a written risk assessment, that a vehicle poses no undue national-security or data-exfiltration risk. The Commissioner must notify Congress at least 60 days before an authorization takes effect, and Congress could block it by passing a joint resolution in that period. The Commissioner could later modify, suspend, or revoke authorizations after public comment. The bill would require a manufacturer authorization procedure and a public list by January 1, 2027.
Exception for non-road test vehicles
The bill would allow a connected vehicle into the United States for testing and evaluation if it is not intended for public roads. The testing firm must be organized under U.S. law, must not have its main office in a covered country, and must not be 25% or more owned or controlled by covered-country entities. This exception would take effect the same day the general ban takes effect (30 days after the implementing regulations are published).
Customs rules and public notice plan
The bill would require the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Secretary of Commerce to issue implementing regulations within 90 days of enactment. The rules must include a list of connected vehicles subject to the ban and a plan to tell the public which vehicles are restricted. The Secretary must publish and maintain a list of any authorized vehicles and explain why they pose no risk, with initial publication by January 1, 2027.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]
MI • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov