Top auto makers, facing the threat of costly North American trade policy changes, want the Trump administration to take a harder line on a market thousands of miles from their home turf.
China's car business is attractive to outsiders chasing sales growth, but rules protecting local companies dent profits of global auto giants and force them to share technology with potential rivals. The 25% tariff on vehicle imports makes U.S.-built automobiles too expensive for most buyers in the world's largest auto market.
President Donald Trump has said he wants to level the playing field with China on trade, threatening steep tariffs. Beijing sees its auto industry as a strategic asset, and a battle over trade barriers could lead to a standoff.
Industry leaders have met with Mr. Trump several times since his inauguration, expressing a variety of concerns ranging from emissions regulations to corporate tax rates. Executives have said they can adjust, given time, to Mr. Trump's promised overhaul of the North American Free Trade Agreement and a House proposal for a border-adjusted tax that would hit imports.
An adviser to Mr. Trump's trade team said the auto industry's China concerns are definitely on the new administration's radar.
China's car business is attractive to outsiders chasing sales growth, but rules protecting local companies dent profits of global auto giants and force them to share technology with potential rivals. The 25% tariff on vehicle imports makes U.S.-built automobiles too expensive for most buyers in the world's largest auto market.
President Donald Trump has said he wants to level the playing field with China on trade, threatening steep tariffs. Beijing sees its auto industry as a strategic asset, and a battle over trade barriers could lead to a standoff.
Industry leaders have met with Mr. Trump several times since his inauguration, expressing a variety of concerns ranging from emissions regulations to corporate tax rates. Executives have said they can adjust, given time, to Mr. Trump's promised overhaul of the North American Free Trade Agreement and a House proposal for a border-adjusted tax that would hit imports.
An adviser to Mr. Trump's trade team said the auto industry's China concerns are definitely on the new administration's radar.