Protecting America from Chinese Cars Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]
Introduced
Summary
Ban on connected vehicles tied to specific foreign adversaries would block certain cars from entering the U.S. unless cleared through a national security authorization and public reporting process.
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- Families and drivers: Would face reduced availability of some connected models because vehicles made in or designed in covered countries could be barred.
- Manufacturers and importers: Would be blocked if a maker is more than 15% owned or controlled by entities in a covered country or if the vehicle is designed or manufactured there. Manufacturers could seek authorization that requires clear and convincing evidence and a 60 day congressional notice.
- Federal agencies and transparency: Would require U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with the Commerce Department, to write rules within 90 days and to publish an initial list of authorized vehicles by Jan 1, 2027, plus a procedure for authorization requests by that date. Authorizations can be modified or revoked with public comment.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Ban on some foreign connected cars
If enacted, this bill would bar certain "connected vehicles" from entering the United States. Vehicles made or designed in North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran would be covered. The bill would also ban vehicles whose maker is more than 15% owned or controlled by entities from those countries. The ban would start 30 days after Customs publishes the implementing regulations.
Pathway to authorize restricted vehicles
If enacted, the bill would create a formal process for Customs and Commerce to allow some otherwise-banned vehicles into the U.S. Commerce would have to issue a written risk assessment showing clear and convincing evidence the vehicle does not pose specified national security risks. Customs would have to notify Congress at least 60 days before an authorization takes effect, and Congress would be able to block it by joint resolution in that 60-day window. The agencies would have to write implementing rules within 90 days of enactment and publish an initial list of authorized vehicles and an application procedure by January 1, 2027.
Test-only import exception for U.S. firms
If enacted, the bill would allow some connected vehicles into the U.S. only for testing and evaluation. The vehicle must not be for public roads and the tester must be a U.S.-organized entity without its principal place of business in a covered country. The tester also must not be 25% or more owned or controlled by entities from those listed countries. This exception would begin 30 days after the implementing rules are published.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]
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