Trump, speaking in a Fox News interview, rejected the suggestion that he would allow Chinese cars to be imported into the US.
“Now, if China wanted to come in, and open a plant to build their cars here, I’d be okay with it – Japan does it – but they hire our people,” Trump said.
Cheap, tech-laden Chinese EVs from companies like BYD and Geely Automobile Holdings are rapidly gaining global market share.
Trump’s comments come weeks before a planned summit with Xi in Washington, though he has made similar remarks before.
In a January speech at the Detroit Economic Club, in the heartland of the American motor vehicle industry, Trump indicated he would be open to allowing Chinese automakers to build cars in the US, saying “let China come in”.