Car manufacturers were mostly based in US/Europe/Japan for the past 50+ years. Each market mostly stuck to their own cars, but also allowed sales from the other big manufacturers. Those big brands were allowed to start factories in other countries to avoid tariffs and gain market access.

However, soon China will be selling electric cars that are both cheaper and better than any of the traditional makers, and looking to sell them worldwide. This will trigger protectionist actions in the big manufacturers countries, but also seeing their markets dry up, all those countries will also be negotiating trade deals with any country who will listen to also block China selling to their country.