Angel investor and All-In Podcast host Jason Calacanis warned that letting Chinese electric vehicles into the U.S. could devastate domestic automakers, even as their low prices attract consumers. His comments came in response to Sen. Elissa Slotkin's (D-Mich.) claim that President Donald Trump could loosen barriers as part of a China deal.

Calacanis Warns Chinese EVs Could Disrupt Detroit

"This would be the end of the US automotive industry — but consumers will love to buy these cars," Calacanis wrote in an X post on Wednesday. He added, "Everywhere I go, from the Middle East to Europe to Mexico, the streets and Uber fleets are filled with dirt-cheap Chinese EVs," calling such U.S. access "a disaster."

Slotkin said Wednesday she had heard "rumors" that Trump could allow Chinese cars into the U.S. through a broader deal, calling such a move "a strategic mistake." The White House has announced no rollback of current restrictions.

Slotkin Frames Chinese Cars As Security Risk

Those barriers remain formidable. The U.S. Trade Representative raised Section 301 tariffs on Chinese EVs to 100% in 2024. The Commerce Department separately finalized rules restricting certain connected vehicles and vehicle connectivity and automated-driving software and hardware with a sufficient nexus to China, citing risks that sensitive driver information could be extracted or vehicles remotely manipulated.

Slotkin has pressed that argument for months. Ahead of Trump's May 14-15 Beijing summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, she said Chinese-connected vehicles could collect video, 3D mapping and geolocation data and send it to Beijing, calling them a national and economic-security risk. Official White House records confirm Trump met Xi in Beijing on both dates.

Slotkin and Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) subsequently introduced legislation to harden restrictions on Chinese vehicles. Her office said the bill would block Chinese vehicles, software and critical hardware throughout the supply chain.

Safety Ratings Challenge Calacanis' Broader Warning

Calacanis also claimed Chinese EVs are unsafe, writing, "You'll probably die in one since they're not very safe." Recent independent testing complicates that claim. Euro NCAP awarded five-star ratings under its tougher 2026 protocols to China's state-owned automaker Guangzhou Automobile Company's (GAC) AION UT, Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.'s (OTC:GELYF) (OTC:GELHY) Geely E2 and Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co. Ltd.'s Leapmotor B05.

Reuters recently reported that Chinese passenger-vehicle exports jumped 77.5% year over year in August to 894,000, while electrified-vehicle exports surged 154.7%. Tesla Inc.'s (NASDAQ:TSLA) Chinese rival BYD Co. Ltd.'s (OTC:BYDDY) (OTC:BYDDF) overseas shipments alone rose 134.5% to 189,466 vehicles. Its exports had already nearly doubled in June.