Industry Competitiveness
Automaking is America’s largest manufacturing sector. Our advocacy work protects U.S. jobs, secures resilient supply chains, and pushes back on unfair trade practices that threaten American competitiveness.
China
Auto companies doing business in the U.S. face geopolitical and market pressures from China that are a direct threat to America’s global competitiveness and national security. This includes a worldwide strategy of automotive manufacturing and supply chain expansion — directed by the Chinese government — rooted in unfair, anti-competitive trade practices; intellectual property theft; and documented cybersecurity and surveillance risks. We advocate for policies that strengthen the health and competitiveness of the auto industry in the U.S. and ensure that Chinese automakers and battery manufacturers are not permitted to do in the U.S. what they have already been permitted to do around the world.
The China Challenge by the numbers
- Share of global auto production and sales
- 34%
- Share of global sales
- 37%
7.1 Million
Total vehicles exported from China
Trade
Automaking is America’s largest manufacturing sector. Automakers, battery makers and parts suppliers have invested billions in American manufacturing and directly support communities and Americans throughout the U.S. Our member companies are committed to continuing to build and invest in the U.S. We advocate for reasonable and stable trade policy that supports American jobs, promotes vehicle affordability, and strengthens U.S. global competitiveness.
Auto Exports Across U.S. Ports
Top Ports by 2023 Value of Goods
| Port | Value of goods |
|---|---|
| Laredo, TX | $59 billion |
| Detroit, MI | $44 billion |
| Brunswick, GA | $28 billion |
| Baltimore, MD | $26 billion |
| Port Huron, MI | $20 billion |
| Newark, NJ | $17 billion |
| Los Angeles, CA | $17 billion |
| Charleston, SC | $15 billion |
| Jacksonville, FL | $14 billion |
| Port Hueneme, CA | $13 billion |
Supply Chain
Access to resilient and secure supply chains is key to investments in manufacturing and advanced automotive technologies in the U.S. The auto industry is focused on reducing supply chain uncertainty, avoiding unnecessary costs, and reducing overreliance on foreign adversaries to ensure near- and long-term success. We advocate for policies that support the domestic production and processing of materials essential to vehicle manufacturing, including critical minerals, semiconductors, and batteries and battery components.
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