US Senator Says Mercedes Won't Face Ban Despite Chinese Stake Concerns
Senator Bernie Moreno assured that Mercedes-Benz vehicles will not be prohibited in the United States, even as a bill targeting firms with over 15% Chinese ownership moves forward.
Republican Senator Bernie Moreno told reporters the United States will not ban Mercedes-Benz vehicles, despite a pending bill that would restrict connected cars from companies with Chinese stakes exceeding 15%. The proposal, introduced with Democrat Elissa Slotkin, aims to block import, manufacturing, sale and resale of such vehicles. Mercedes currently has close to a 20% Chinese share, split between BAIC and Geely founder Li Shufu.
The carmaker operates major plants in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Charleston, South Carolina, and plans to invest over seven billion dollars in the U.S. by decade’s end. While some lawmakers, like Rand Paul, criticize the draft as unfair, Moreno expects a swift vote this week and is reportedly negotiating to keep Mercedes out of the ban’s scope. Mercedes has not commented directly but says it is in close dialogue with U.S. officials and that no single shareholder holds more than ten percent.
Why it matters
The outcome will shape US-German automotive trade and affect thousands of American jobs tied to Mercedes factories.
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