US confirms Chinese EVs won't be entering the country despite Canada allowing them
Published on Apr 02, 2026 at 6:44 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Apr 02, 2026 at 7:56 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Chinese EVs are set to make their way into Canada for the first time, but if you wanted one in the United States, well, it looks like you are all out of luck.
As of the time of writing, the US has confirmed that those vehicles will not be entering the country, despite the fact that Canada has decided they can.
China could well become the dominant force in the electric car industry, and countries around the world are starting to wake up to this.
But the reason why America won’t let them in makes for fascinating reading.
This is why no Chinese EVs will come to the United States
Automotive News reported on the motivation that essentially bars Chinese EVs from the USA.
Canada recently negotiated a deal that lowered the tariffs on Chinese electric cars.
The tariff rate was frozen at 6.1 percent, which is much lower than in other countries, such as Mexico, at 50 percent.
But America itself isn’t interested in doing the same.
“Those cars can come in from China, come into Canada, but they’re not going to cross the border into the US,” said US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra.
America is now threatening 100 percent tariffs on Canadian goods entering the country.
The decision boils down to security concerns from the Trump administration.
As modern vehicles can transmit all sorts of data, the United States has become increasingly concerned about this.
The issue becomes more sensitive when it involves China and Russia.
What this could mean for the automotive industry
Supercar Blondie has reached out to industry experts for comment on the situation.
John Higham of the Electric Vehicle Association provided his thoughts on the matter.
“Blocking Chinese EVs may buy time for U.S. automakers, but time only helps if you use it to scale, innovate, and compete,” he told us.
“Right now, the bigger risk isn’t foreign competition, it’s uncertainty at home,” he added.
Chinese electric cars have become more and more popular over recent months and years.
Europe, in particular, has seen a steady influx of Chinese EVs.
One advantage is the pricing for them, compared to their Western counterparts.
For example, in the United States, a Tesla Model 3 can start at around $37,000.
Comparable Chinese EVs, such as a BYD Seal, can retail for less at around $24,000.
Plus, they offer some advantages, such as much faster charging and greater range.
For example, BYD’s new 1,500kW charger could recharge an EV to nearly full from 20 percent in five minutes.
That might be something that American manufacturers will be keeping a close eye on.
“Countries that provide clear, consistent direction will attract investment and move faster,” Higham also told us.
“Those that don’t will fall behind, regardless of how well they try to control their borders.”
It could be very interesting times ahead for the American automotive industry.
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Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a heritage steam railway.
