US Plans Ban on Chinese Tech in Cars Citing Security Threats

The US government is planning to ban the use of certain Chinese and Russian-made hardware and software in cars, trucks, and buses, citing concerns over national security risks. The decision comes amid growing fears that foreign adversaries could remotely manipulate vehicles on US roads through autonomous driving and connected car technologies. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo called the move a "targeted, proactive" step to safeguard US citizens' privacy and national security. “Cars today have cameras, microphones, GPS tracking, and other technologies connected to the internet,” she explained. “It doesn’t take much imagination to understand how a foreign adversary with access to this information could pose a serious risk.”

Chinese officials have criticized the decision, accusing the US of expanding the concept of national security to unfairly target Chinese companies. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, urged the US to maintain a fair business environment for Chinese firms, calling the proposed actions discriminatory. The new rules would affect connected car software starting with model year 2027, with hardware restrictions taking effect three years later. While the presence of Chinese and Russian technology in American vehicles is currently minimal, the move is expected to push car manufacturers to restructure their supply chains, according to John Bozzella, president of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation.

The proposal marks the latest in a series of actions from the White House to limit China’s role in the US automotive industry, including tariffs on electric cars and batteries. The proposal will now undergo a comment period before final rules are implemented. ⚡ ImageCredit: GettyImages