The United Auto Workers has a message for the people running the House: pay attention. The union has urged House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) to protect American auto interests as Chinese automakers gain market share in regions outside the U.S.

UAW Warns Against Chinese Automakers

According to a report by Reuters on Wednesday, citing a letter by the UAW to Johnson and Jeffries, the union expressed concerns about the future of the U.S. auto industry. "Congress must ensure that China and its practices do not gain a foothold in the US market," the letter said.

The union urged lawmakers to focus on "global overcapacity in electric vehicles, Chinese ownership of Western automakers, and continued offshoring to China" and that "autoworkers cannot afford any lapse in Congress's attention on this issue," warning of "downstream effects" on the industry as a whole.

Jim Farley Weighs in on China

UAW is not the only one sounding the alarm over China. Ford Motor Co. (F) CEO Jim Farley also warned that the European market was already seeing effects of Chinese automakers arriving in the region, warning that the U.S. must be "extremely careful" of Chinese OEMs.

However, the automaker has been criticized for its collaboration with Chinese companies like battery maker CATL, with the President Donald Trump administration urging the automaker to reduce its reliance on Chinese technology.

Chinese Automakers Expand Footprint

Chinese OEMs have been steadily expanding their presence globally, with Europe becoming a major growth area for companies like BYD Co. Ltd. (OTC: BYDDY) (OTC: BYDDF), Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. (OTC: GELHY) (OTC: GELYF) and more.

According to European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) data, BYD registered 283,997 vehicles across the EU, EFTA and UK markets between January and September, capturing 2.7% of the combined market. Geely Group, which includes brands such as Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and Zeekr, registered 343,875 vehicles, accounting for 3.3% of the market.