Mercedes-Benz may be shut out of U.S. market under bill aimed at Chinese automaker ownership
A new bill in the U.S. Congress aims to restrict Chinese automakers from entering the U.S. market. The legislation could inadvertently affect Mercedes-Benz due to its Chinese ownership connections. If passed, the bill would prevent companies with foreign adversary ownership from manufacturing or selling vehicles in the U.S. for five years.
- ▪The bill is sponsored by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie and currently has no Senate companion.
- ▪It includes exemptions for companies that have manufactured passenger vehicles in the U.S. for at least five years before January 1, 2026.
- ▪Mercedes-Benz's second-largest individual shareholder is Chinese billionaire Li Shufu, who owns 9.69% of the company.
- ▪The bill targets companies with any direct or indirect equity interest by a foreign-adversary government, which includes China.
- ▪A separate bill, the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026, also includes a similar 15% ownership stipulation that could impact other automakers.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
The bill comes as lawmakers in both parties seek to prevent Chinese automakers from gaining a foothold in the U.S. market, even as Chinese ownership already runs through parts of the global auto industry.The bill, which is sponsored by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., is currently a House-only initiative with no Senate companion. It includes exemptions for China-backed companies, but not if they're directly or indirectly owned by the Chinese government.Automakers that have manufactured passenger vehicles in the U.S. for at least five years before Jan. 1, 2026, could qualify for an exemption.
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