Eleven Senate Republicans, led by Senator Ted Budd (R-NC), have formally requested that President Donald Trump press Chinese President Xi Jinping to stop the flow of unauthorized Chinese-manufactured e-cigarettes into the United States during their Wednesday meeting in Washington.
In the letter sent ahead of the bilateral summit, Budd stated that Beijing already maintains the legal authority to end the trade, given its tight domestic vaping regulations and existing prohibitions on exporting items to markets where they are not authorized.
“China has the power to shut this trade down,” Budd wrote. He urged Trump to press Xi to direct China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration to enforce its export rules, stop unauthorized manufacturing, and coordinate directly with US law enforcement agencies.
Data Highlights Scale of Unauthorized Vape Trade
The congressional demand comes amid increased federal enforcement. While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized only 48 specific e-cigarette products for legal sale, illicit imports continue to dominate retail shelves.
- 70% of US Vape Sales: Retail-scanner data from December 2025 showed that unauthorized products accounted for nearly 70% of all US e-cigarette spending.
- 97.6% of Disposables: Unauthorized devices represented almost the entire disposable vape segment.
- $4 Billion in Exports: Chinese customs records indicate that Chinese vape exports to the US exceeded $4 billion in 2025, making the US the primary destination for China’s $10.5 billion global export volume.
National Security and Cartel Connections
The lawmakers also raised concerns over newer "smart vapes" equipped with Bluetooth connectivity. Budd warned that these devices could pose cybersecurity risks if used by military personnel near sensitive networks. The Department of Justice previously noted that unauthorized vapes are frequently sold near schools and military installations.
Additionally, the letter tied the trade to international crime rings, noting that black-market Chinese vapes now provide revenue streams for Mexican drug cartels and facilitate fentanyl-related money laundering.
“Honest American retailers who follow federal law are being undercut by a black market supplied almost entirely from a single country,” Budd wrote.
Federal agencies intercepted more than 4.7 million unauthorized vape units last year, valued at $86.5 million. The issue now enters the broader diplomatic agenda as Trump and Xi meet to discuss trade, technology, and national security.
Digital Content Creator & Vape Industry Analyst
Jake Miller is a prominent voice in the American vaping community, known for his transparent, tech-focused approach to harm reduction and hardware innovation. With over six years of experience in the industry, Tyler transitioned from a hobbyist to a full-time content creator, building a loyal following through his unfiltered reviews and deep-dive technical tutorials.