Without pressure, local companies do not compete.

We need to let them in at a limited capacity and the domestic companies need to feel the heat.

I agree that we’re subsidizing these companies at the cost of the consumer, but I highly doubt they could compete on a level playing field. The competition would be between foreign suppliers. The consumer surplus could be redirected more productively but that number would be diffuse and not easy to measure.

[delayed]

Sounds like an excuse to protect weak and unprepared American carmakers.

yes USA can be protectionist, and it can also be paranoid. Especially when it involves millions of 2 ton autonomous robots operated exclusively by its major economic and geopolitical rival.

Funny how the paranoia doesn’t apply to sectors that have no US-based industry to protect.

Which are those

That link says the ban comes into effect for model year 2027. And it applies to car software and hardware from China. The cars themselves are fine.

China is not going to sell a dumbcar in USA. The software and comms hardware ban is an effective ban of Chinese cars.

If there were no tariffs, they could import a car without Chinese electronics on-board and install approved gear in it before selling it.