Congress Members Want to Make Your Vape a Trade War Issue

A group of US lawmakers just asked the US government to include illegal Chinese vapes in any upcoming trade deal with China. If that happens, the consequences for the vaping market could be significant.

What’s going on?

Just last month, more than 50 members of Congress signed a letter to the US Trade Representative and Treasury Secretary calling for action on Chinese e-cigarette exports. The ask is that any new trade agreement with China should include a binding commitment from Beijing to stop exporting illegal vapes to the US.

This comes off the back of the federal crackdown that has been building throughout 2025, including the largest-ever seizure of illegal e-cigarettes worth $86.5 million. 

Despite all of that, Chinese e-cigarette exports to the US still topped $10 billion in 2025 and were rising through the final quarter.

Why should you care?

If this gets traction, it adds another layer of pressure to the already shrinking supply of affordable vaping products in the US. The R.J. Reynolds complaint we covered recently is targeting manufacturers and distributors directly. This letter goes a step further by trying to shut things down at the source, before products even leave China.

China’s own laws already ban manufacturers from shipping e-cigarettes to countries where those products are illegal. The State Tobacco Monopoly Administration has full oversight of the industry. The US lawmakers are arguing that the continued flow of illegal exports is a “deliberate strategy.”

If the US government manages to get this into a trade agreement, it could mean a dramatic reduction in the volume of Chinese-made vaping products entering the country. 

If you’re a disposable vape lover or prefer brands that happen to be manufactured in China, that’s your supply chain being targeted here.

The national security angle

Of course, this hasn’t come out of nowhere, and the letter explains that the importation of vapes has an impact on national security. The Department of Justice has flagged that unauthorized vapes are being sold near schools and military bases. The DEA investigated vape shops near military installations and found that many were run by foreign nationals suspected of deliberately targeting service members. One operation led to 20 arrests, including three Chinese nationals.

Then there are also the issues of the “smart vapes” that connect to your phone. The letter raises concerns that these devices could access your personal data, camera, microphone, and location. 

Under China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law, companies are required to hand over data to state intelligence services if asked. If you’re using one of these devices, that’s worth thinking about.

What happens next?

This is a letter, not legislation, and nothing is being enforced yet. But it adds serious political weight to what’s already happening with the R.J. Reynolds investigation and the ongoing federal seizures. If Chinese vape exports become a condition of any trade deal, the ripple effects on availability and pricing could be felt across the entire US vaping market.

If you’re a regular buyer, this is another reason to keep a close eye on what’s coming.