Ban on Chinese vehicles: On Monday, the US Commerce Department put forward a new proposal, under which it plans to ban connected vehicles equipped with Chinese software and hardware on American roads, keeping in mind national security concerns.
The direct effect of this rule will be that almost all Chinese cars will not be able to enter the US market. According to this plan, first reported by Reuters, American and other major automobile companies will also have to remove Chinese software and hardware from their vehicles in the coming years.
The Biden administration has expressed deep concerns about data collection and foreign interference by Chinese companies through connected vehicles on American roads. The main objective of this is that Chinese companies can monitor American drivers and the country’s infrastructure through these vehicles. The White House ordered an investigation into this issue in February.
The proposed rules would ban self-driving cars made by Chinese manufacturers from being tested on U.S. roads, and would also apply to vehicle software and hardware made by other U.S. foreign adversaries, such as Russia.
America has thought too far ahead!
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a briefing, “When a foreign adversary develops software for a vehicle, it can be used for surveillance. It can be controlled remotely. This poses a threat to the privacy and security of American citizens.” She also said, “In an extreme situation, a foreign adversary can shut down or take control of all vehicles running in the US at the same time, which can cause road accidents and jams.”
The move is another escalation of US sanctions on Chinese vehicles, software, and components. Earlier this month, the Biden administration imposed heavy tariffs on Chinese imports, including a 100% duty on electric vehicles and new duties on EV batteries and key minerals.
Chinese-made cars and light vehicles are imported into the US in relatively small numbers. But Raimondo said the department is taking action before the links to suppliers, automakers and car parts with Chinese or Russian links become widespread. “We cannot wait until our roads are completely filled with these vehicles and the threat becomes extremely serious,” she said.
Nearly all new vehicles are ‘connected’, with onboard network hardware that can access the internet, allowing them to share data both inside and outside the vehicle.
Claim evidence of malware insertion
A senior administration official confirmed that the proposal would effectively ban all existing Chinese-made light vehicles and trucks from the US market, but it also gives Chinese automakers the option of seeking ‘special permission’ for certain exemptions.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the US has sufficient evidence that China has installed malware in US infrastructure. He said, “There are millions of vehicles running on the roads, which can be 10 to 15 years old, and in such a situation the risk of disruption and sabotage increases a lot.”
The Chinese Embassy in Washington last month criticized the move to restrict US vehicle exports. It said, “China urges the US to scrupulously abide by market principles and international trade rules, and create equal opportunities for companies from all countries. China will firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests.”
