US senators delay effort to permanently ban Chinese cars

US senators backing a permanent legislative ban on Chinese cars in the United States have put off a fast-track approval push until next week while they try to win over a single holdout, congressional aides said.

Fast-track plan delayed

Republican Senator Bernie Moreno and Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin had planned to seek approval on Thursday for a procedure that requires unanimous Senate backing.

The senators instead agreed to delay the move and hold talks with Republican Senator Rand Paul, who had raised some concerns, congressional aides said.

Their effort is aimed at convincing Paul to allow the measure to pass through the fast-track route.

Why the proposed ban matters

The proposed ban is framed as a move to ensure that hundreds of thousands of US automotive jobs are not put at risk by what supporters describe as “total domination” by Chinese car firms.

The plan seeks a permanent legislative ban on Chinese cars in the United States, rather than a temporary or administrative restriction.

The delay came on the same day that US President Donald Trump met China’s President Xi Jinping in Washington.

For now, the Senate push remains dependent on whether Moreno and Slotkin can address Paul’s concerns before trying again next week.

Source: South China Morning Post