The U.S. Commerce Department proposed Monday an outright block on the import and sale of Chinese-made vehicles that contain key communications and automated driving systems due to national security concerns.
This sweeping proposal, reported by Reuters, would have the effect of shutting out nearly all Chinese cars from the U.S. market, intensifying the ongoing economic standoff between the two global superpowers.
The proposed regulation would not only target vehicles but also encompass the software and hardware integral to modern connected cars.
This means that any vehicle equipped with systems that facilitate internet connectivity or data sharing — which are now ubiquitous in newer models — could be banned if these technologies are sourced from China or any other nation deemed a foreign adversary, including Russia.
Heightened Security Concerns
The Biden administration has expressed growing concerns over the potential for data collected by Chinese automakers and tech companies to be used for espionage or to undermine U.S. infrastructure.
With many modern cars linked to the internet, allowing them to communicate with external systems for navigation, safety features, and data storage, officials worry that Chinese companies could exploit these connections to gather sensitive information or even manipulate vehicle operations remotely.
For instance, an ...
