Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) and 10 other Senate Republicans urged President Donald Trump to press Chinese President Xi Jinping to crack down on the flow of unauthorized Chinese-made vapes into the United States when the two leaders meet in Washington on Wednesday.
In the letter to Trump released ahead of his meeting with Xi, Budd argued that Beijing has the ability to stop the trade because China tightly regulates its domestic e-cigarette industry and prohibits manufacturers from exporting vaping products to countries where they are illegal.
“China has the power to shut this trade down,” Budd wrote, urging Trump to press Xi to direct China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration to enforce its own export rules, halt the manufacture and export of illicit vaping products, and cooperate with U.S. law enforcement to stop the flow of unauthorized vapes at its source.
The letter comes as the Trump administration has stepped up enforcement against unauthorized e-cigarettes, many of which are manufactured in China. The Food and Drug Administration currently lists 48 e-cigarettes that are authorized for legal sale in the U.S.
Despite the limited number of authorized products, unauthorized vapes remain widely available. A retail-scanner analysis of December 2025 sales found that nearly 70% of e-cigarette spending went toward products that had not received FDA authorization, while 97.6% of disposable vape sales were unauthorized.
Chinese e-cigarette exports to the U.S. exceeded $4 billion in 2025, according to Chinese customs data. China exported more than $10.5 billion worth of e-cigarettes and related electronic atomizing devices worldwide that year, with the U.S. as its largest destination.
Budd also pointed to national security concerns surrounding newer “smart vapes,” which can connect to smartphones. He warned that devices used by military personnel could possibly create avenues for accessing personal data or networks.
The senator linked the illicit vape trade to criminal organizations, arguing that Chinese-made products have become a source of revenue for Mexican cartels and a vehicle for 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.
The letter also cited the availability of unauthorized products near schools and military bases, as well as concerns over flavored products and packaging that can appeal to young people. The Department of Justice previously warned that unauthorized e-cigarettes are frequently sold near schools and military installations, putting minors and service members at risk.
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The administration’s enforcement efforts have coincided with a rise in “Made in America” marketing among vape companies, although Chinese exports to the U.S. have remained substantial. Federal agencies seized more than 4.7 million unauthorized e-cigarette units last year, with an estimated retail value of $86.5 million.
Budd’s request comes as Trump prepares to meet Xi in Washington amid broader disputes over trade, technology, national security, and other issues.
