US auto workers union urges Congress to keep its eye on Chinese automakers

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, Nov 11 (Reuters) - The United Auto Workers union urged top US lawmakers to keep the House China Select Committee in place when Democrats take over, citing concerns about Chinese automakers, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

"From global overcapacity in electric vehicles, Chinese ownership of Western automakers, and continued offshoring to China, we urgently need Congress’s focused attention on these issues and their rapidly emerging downstream effects," the UAW wrote House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. "Autoworkers cannot afford any lapse in Congress’s attention on this issue."

Jeffries said this week he would meet with Democratic leaders on the future of the House China select committee.

The House select committee under Republican Representative John Moolenaar has investigated a number of China-related issues, including Ford's F.N partnership with Chinese battery company CATL 300750.SZ and an abandoned plan of a subsidiary of Chinese battery company Gotion to build a $2.4 billion plant in Michigan to produce battery materials.

Moolenaar said this week the committee work should continue next year. "The challenges we face as a nation are only becoming more urgent given the high-stakes technology competition in AI and (China's) growing coercion targeting America’s allies and partners," he said.

Congress has yet to pass legislation to make permanent a ban on Chinese autos. Senator Bernie Moreno, a Republican co-author of the bill, told Reuters on Tuesday he was getting "really, really close" to a deal and hoping for a Senate vote as early as next week.

"Congress must ensure that China and its practices do not gain a foothold in the US market," the UAW letter said.

A group representing General Motors , Toyota 7203.T, Volkswagen VOWG.DE and other major automakers is lobbying Congress to complete work on the Chinese auto ban this year.

A regulation imposed by former President Joe Biden ⁠in early 2025 effectively banned Chinese automakers from selling or building passenger vehicles in the US because they could send sensitive driver data to China. Washington also maintains more ⁠than 100% ​tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.