Webinar Recap: Plugged In: China’s EV Export Boom

On October 8, 2026, Silverado Policy Accelerator hosted a webinar examining the rapid growth of China’s electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) exports and the implications for global automotive markets and U.S. industry.

Silverado’s Andrew David was joined by Mitch Semanik and John Corrigan to discuss the latest trade data, China's expanding presence in major automotive markets, and potential policy responses.

Key Takeaways from the Discussion

• Chinese EV and PHEV exports have reached historically high levels in recent months. China now accounts for more than half of global EV and PHEV exports by value.
• Chinese EV and PHEV exports to China's top ten export destinations more than doubled in value between January–August 2025 and January–August 2026. China also accounts for more than 50 percent of EV and PHEV exports to nearly all top destination markets.
• Significant U.S. tariffs have kept Chinese EV and PHEV exports to the United States relatively low compared with other major destinations.
• China's EV export surge follows nearly two decades of concerted state support. Traditional trade defense instruments may be too narrowly scoped and slow to address the growing challenge facing market-oriented economies.
• The United States, allies, and partners can strengthen their automotive industries through policies supporting demand and scaled production, including fiscal support and targeted research and development. A “Fortress North America” could provide a model for maintaining a market-oriented automotive production and trade region. The discussion highlighted the challenges that China's expanding EV exports pose for automotive industries in the United States and other market-oriented economies. Panelists examined the limitations of existing trade measures and the potential for more coordinated approaches to strengthen industrial competitiveness.

Watch the full webinar recording.