The US Commerce Department is set to propose new regulations aimed at banning Chinese hardware and software in connected and autonomous vehicles on American roads. This initiative, driven by national security concerns, would restrict the import and sale of vehicles from China that contain components for communication or automated driving systems.
The Biden administration has expressed apprehensions about the potential for Chinese companies to collect data on American drivers and infrastructure. Officials worry about the risks of foreign interference in vehicles connected to the internet, which could lead to remote manipulation of navigation systems.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo highlighted these dangers in May, saying, “You can imagine the most catastrophic outcome theoretically if you had a couple million cars on the road and the software were disabled.”
The proposed regulations will target Chinese technology in connected vehicles, which includes cars with built-in internet access that can share data with other devices. The ban on Chinese software might be implemented as early as the 2027 model year, while hardware restrictions are expected to take effect by 2029 or the 2030 model year. These prohibitions will cover vehicles with specific wireless features, such as Bluetooth, satellite connections, and autonomous driving capabilities. Additionally, the rule will extend to other nations considered US adversaries, including Russia.
This move is part of a larger strategy by the US to tighten restrictions on Chinese products. Recently, the Biden administration announced significant tariffs on Chinese imports, which include a 100% duty on electric vehicles (EVs) and higher tariffs on EV batteries and essential minerals.
In February, President Biden ordered an investigation into whether Chinese vehicles and their technology posed a threat to national security. He has firmly opposed allowing a significant influx of Chinese vehicles into the US, stating, “I’m not going to let that happen on my watch.”
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