Speed restrictions.

Kei trucks were designed for use in dense Japanese cities, which is why they also work in European cities. They are nimble but have a low top speed. You’re not going 70 mph around a street corner for instance.

It would work in places like NYC for the same reasons, but remember that most of the USA is suburban or rural. You need vehicles that are capable of going fast if you’re going to get on a highway.

A possible workaround is to have a separate class for these, like mopeds or scooters, which are road legal but are not highway legal.

Meanwhile in a ”free” country:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Act

Edit: apparently people are confused by whataboutism and hypocrisy.

Imagine being so against peace that you refuse to negotiate unless the other party drops their demands for a permanent ceasefire.

This means that Israel reserves the right to attack Palestinians whenever they feel like.

There are 2 genocides actively occurring (or at least in the forefront).

Western media does not shy away from calling one a genocide (as they should), but refuses to call the other one a genocide.

There’s a reason the US is targeting China from various fronts (trade restrictions, sanctions, etc.). China is a powerhouse and the US is terrified of being left behind.