Tammy Baldwin

Three Democratic senators asked President Donald Trump on Thursday to keep blocking Chinese automakers from the American market.

Sens. Chuck Schumer, Elissa Slotkin and Tammy Baldwin said in a letter to Trump, who has encouraged Chinese manufacturers to build in the U.S., that the American auto industry must be protected.

“We urge you to stay the course and make it clear that Chinese auto manufacturers and their products present unprecedented dangers to our economic and national security, and their manufacture, sale, or operation on U.S. soil is non-negotiable,” the lawmakers wrote.

A White House spokesperson told The National News Desk that the Trump administration would never risk national security. The Chinese embassy in the U.S. hasn’t responded to a request for comment, but it has opposed American restrictions on Chinese automaking.

Trump said during a speech earlier this year at the Detroit Economic Club, located in the heart of the American auto industry, that he would allow Chinese manufacturers to produce in the U.S. Regulation and tariffs have blocked China’s presence in the American market.

“If they wanna come in and build a plant and hire you and hire your friends and your neighbors, that’s great, I love that,” the president said. “Let China come in.”