Senate Republican says Chinese vehicle bill will not ban Mercedes-Benz sales

Republican Senator Bernie Moreno has said that a bill he is sponsoring to restrict the sale of vehicles from companies with more than 15% Chinese ownership will not result in a ban on Mercedes-Benz sales in the United States.

The proposed legislation is aimed at limiting the US market presence of vehicle manufacturers with significant Chinese ownership stakes, part of a broader set of measures in Washington targeting Chinese involvement in strategic industries including automotive manufacturing and supply chains.

Moreno's comments came in response to questions about whether the bill's ownership threshold could inadvertently capture Mercedes-Benz, given the German automaker's various international shareholders. The senator sought to clarify that the bill's scope would not extend to the company.

The legislation reflects continuing congressional interest in restricting Chinese economic influence over sectors deemed important to US national and economic security, following a series of similar measures targeting Chinese-linked technology and manufacturing firms in recent years.

Further details on the bill's precise ownership thresholds, enforcement mechanisms and timeline for consideration in the Senate have not been fully outlined. The measure would need to pass both chambers of Congress before becoming law.