Democrats warn Trump against Chinese automaker concessions to Xi
Trump has floated allowing Chinese carmakers to build vehicles in the US, alarming lawmakers on both sides ahead of midterm elections.
What to know
- Trump has floated allowing Chinese carmakers to build vehicles in the US, potentially as a concession during negotiations with Xi Jinping this week.
- Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers oppose the proposal, citing threats to domestic auto jobs and national security.
- The auto industry is politically sensitive in Rust Belt states whose electoral weight will determine control of Congress in upcoming midterm elections.
Donald Trump US President
Xi Jinping Chinese leader
Debbie Dingell Democratic Representative, MichiganTom Barrett Republican Representative, Michigan
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
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Analysts flag autos as politically dangerous issue before midterms
Economic analysts warn that Rust Belt auto manufacturing bases could determine control of Congress in the midterm elections, making Chinese car concessions a significant political liability for Trump and Republicans.
“Autos are just an incredibly politically dangerous area to run into right before the midterms.”
— Adam Farrar, Bloomberg Economics -
“I’m very concerned,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich. “I want to make sure the president protects our domestic auto industry and protects our jobs and protects workers.” Read more from Nicholas Wu:
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Democrats fear Trump may make concessions to Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week — especially after the president floated the possibility of allowing Chinese carmakers to build vehicles in the US.
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Republicans also oppose Chinese automaker entry despite Trump support — Republican lawmakers, reluctant to openly criticize Trump, are signaling opposition to foreign manufacturers building vehicles in the US. Rep. Tom Barrett, from a competitive district in Michigan, explicitly stated his disagreement with the proposal.
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Democratic lawmakers express alarm about auto concessions — About two dozen Democratic representatives sent a letter to Trump opposing Chinese company entry into the US on national security and economic grounds. Rep. Debbie Dingell stated her concern about protecting the domestic auto industry and workers.
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Trump floats allowing Chinese carmakers to build vehicles in US — President Trump has raised the possibility of permitting Chinese automakers to construct vehicles domestically, prompting concern among Democratic and Republican lawmakers about threats to the domestic auto industry.