The United States has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization against China over tariffs on U.S.-made vehicles.
The Obama administration says China unfairly placed duties of up to 22 percent on U.S.-made vehicles that are exported to China.
The tariffs apply to larger passenger cars and SUVs.
Vehicles that have been hit with the extra duties include two cars made by General Motors, the Cadillac CTS and Buick Enclave. Chrysler has also been affected. The company exports American-made Jeeps to China.
The administration says the value of the exports is more than $3 billion. U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow says the duties are widely seen as retaliation after the U.S. prevailed in a separate WTO dispute over Chinese-made tires being "dumped" into the U.S. market at below cost.