Is Washington about to open the gates to Chinese carmakers? There are rumours that the Trump administration is considering exactly that as part of a broader deal with Beijing ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to Washington on 24 September.

There is, however, a rather important problem: nobody appears willing to produce the evidence.

Slotkin has not identified her source, and the administration’s public record points largely in the opposite direction. Chinese-connected vehicle technology remains firmly in Washington’s crosshairs, while Polestar has already been denied authorisation under America’s Connected Vehicle rules and is preparing to leave the US market in 2027.

Yet dismissing the possibility entirely would be premature. Trump has previously said he would welcome Chinese manufacturers building factories in America, provided they employ American workers. And officials have held discussions involving potential Chinese joint ventures on US soil.

That creates an intriguing distinction. Washington could potentially welcome Chinese investment and manufacturing in America while continuing to restrict Chinese-branded vehicles imported for sale.

Meanwhile, Slotkin is backing legislation that would strengthen restrictions on Chinese automotive technology and extend them to companies operating through third countries. A proposed 15% Chinese ownership threshold could have significant consequences for brands including Polestar and Lotus.

The politics are equally interesting. Slotkin is using the rumour to bolster a national-security argument just weeks before America’s midterm elections.

So, is Trump preparing to let Chinese cars into America? Not on the evidence currently available.

But Trump has never been particularly predictable, especially when China and trade are involved. With Xi heading to Washington, the possibility of a dramatic policy reversal cannot be completely ruled out.

For Detroit, Beijing and the global car industry, September could get very interesting indeed.