First Shift: Trump open to Chinese plants in U.S.

Former President Donald Trump has proposed a compromise on electric vehicle (EV) production, indicating he would permit Chinese automakers to manufacture EVs in the U.S. using American labor while keeping in place restrictions on importing Chinese-made vehicles. The move comes amid growing tensions over trade and industrial competition, with at least one major Chinese automaker signaling interest in expanding U.S. operations under such terms. Industry analysts are weighing whether this approach could ease trade disputes while still addressing concerns over foreign market dominance in the growing EV sector. The proposal highlights the delicate balance between attracting investment and protecting domestic manufacturing interests.

Trump says he would allow Chinese automakers to build EVs in the U.S. with American workers but will maintain the ban on imported Chinese vehicles. Executive Park Min-woo says the automaker will ...