Mercedes-Benz may be shut out of U.S. market under bill aimed at Chinese automaker ownership

A House bill seeks to bar automakers with foreign-adversary government ownership from manufacturing, selling or importing vehicles in the U.S. for five years after enactment. Sponsored by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie, the measure is currently House-only with no Senate companion. China is named as a foreign adversary alongside Russia and North Korea, though exemptions exist for companies that manufactured vehicles in the U.S. for at least five years before Jan. 1, 2026. Mercedes-Benz, which employs more than 11,000 people in the U.S. and operates two large plants, declined to comment. Li Shufu (Geely) and BAIC hold stakes that amount to about 19.67% of MB Group.