U.S. Lobbying Heats Up: Japanese and Chinese Automakers Invest Millions Amid Policy Shifts

According to the Nikkei on Wednesday, major Japanese automakers are ramping up their lobbying efforts in the United States. This move comes in response to protectionist policies implemented during the Trump administration and the Biden administration’s electric vehicle (EV) incentives.

Data from the U.S. watchdog group Open Secrets reveals that Toyota, Honda, and Nissan collectively increased their lobbying expenditures by an average of 25% during the Trump administration (2017-2020) compared to Obama’s’ second term (2013-2016).

This surge far outpaces the 8% average increase across all businesses and organizations.

Toyota, in particular, saw its average annual lobbying costs rise to $6.46 million between 2017 and 2020, a 32% increase from the previous four-year period. The automaker’s lobbying expenses peaked in 2019 at $7.11 million, the highest in two decades.

Honda and Nissan also increased their lobbying budgets by 19% and 18%, respectively. This trend has continued under the Biden administration, with 2021-2023 lobbying costs averaging 16% higher than during Obama’s’ second term. In 2023, Toyota increased its spending by 2% year-over-year, while Honda’s’ expenses rose by 16%. These aggressive lobbying efforts are primarily driven by Trump’s’ protectionist policies and Biden’s’ push for EV adoption.

With tariffs and environmental vehicle subsidies directly affecting pricing and sales, Japanese automakers emphasize their U.S. job creation and vehicle efficiency to influence policymakers.

Chinese automakers are also joining the lobbying arena. BYD, which first engaged in U.S. lobbying in 2014, plans to invest a record $1.04 million in 2023, a 65% increase from the previous year.

This push is in response to heightened scrutiny of Chinese firms amid U.S.-China tensions. As Trump campaigns for re-election, Japanese automakers are preparing for potentially more aggressive lobbying efforts.

Trump’s campaign promises, including 10-20% tariffs on all imports and a 60% tariff on Chinese goods, are forcing automakers to prepare for various scenarios.

Recently, Honda’s Executive Vice President, Shinji Aoyama, acknowledged the substantial short-term impact of tariffs and expressed the company’s intention to respond through continued lobbying efforts.

Similarly, Nissan’s President Makoto Uchida has stressed the company’s commitment to strengthening its lobbying activities.