China Delays Imports of U.S.-Made Vehicles

Chinese customs officials are delaying shipments of cars from the U.S. amid escalating trade tensions between the two countries.

Sources tell Reuters the holdups, which involve special emissions inspections at the eastern ports of Shanghai and Tianjin, began about two weeks ago.

The delays to date have targeted BMW, Ford, Lincoln and Mercedes-Benz cars coming from U.S. factories. German and Japanese carmakers tell Reuters they have experienced no delays for vehicles shipped to China from other countries.

It isn’t clear whether General Motors Co. is facing delays. But Reuters says GM, which locally produces virtually all vehicles sold in China, plan to import only about 150 units from North America this year.