The US government wants to ban the sale in the United States of connected vehicles incorporating Chinese or Russian technology, citing national security risks. The text, presented on Monday 23 September by the Ministry of Commerce, concerns software and terminals that allow a vehicle to communicate with the outside world, in particular for driving assistance and autonomous driving.
This new measure is part of a toughening of the Biden administration’s approach towards China. In mid-September, the United States had already announced that electric cars imported from China would be taxed at 100% starting on September 27.
Even before the announcement of these measures, Beijing judged on Monday “discriminatory” the proposed ban. “China opposes the US generalization of the concept of national security and the discriminatory measures adopted against Chinese companies and products”Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said after a press release.
Electronics are increasingly integrated into modern cars and today most vehicles are connected to the Internet via the navigation system. The emergence of driver assistance software and autonomous driving further reinforces the importance of external interventions in the control of a car in motion.
Fear of collecting “sensitive data”
“Malicious access to these systems could allow adversaries to access and collect our most sensitive data and manipulate vehicles on American roads.”justified, in a press release, the security and industry office of the ministry.
The Government has not specified which manufacturers or models would be covered by this legislation, the text of which will be subject to consultation for thirty days before taking its final form.
Contacted by Agence France-Presse (AFP), the American Automobile Industry Council (AAPC), which represents the three giants of the sector, General Motors (GM), Ford and Stellantis, did not immediately respond.
There are currently no Chinese-made vehicles sold in the United States, but Western manufacturers such as Volvo (Swedish, but controlled by China’s Geely), Polestar, Buick (GM Group) and Lincoln (a subsidiary of Ford) sell Chinese-made cars there.
“A serious risk”
Beyond that, there is the issue of vehicles assembled in the United States but which may use Chinese parts. The US authorities previously conducted a study to assess the impact that this measure would have on the industry, an official source explained. From this analysis it emerged that the penetration of Chinese and Russian software was “minimum”he clarified.
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For terminals, “it’s a little more complicated”according to the same source. “There is more Chinese equipment” in circulation outside China, banning them requires “changes of suppliers”As a result, the government has no intention of enforcing the ban on physical equipment before 2029, to give the industry time to adapt.
In the case of software, however, the measure would come into force from 2027.
“Today cars have cameras, microphones, GPS and other technologies connected to the Internet”Trade Minister Gina Raimondo was quoted in the press release as saying.
“It doesn’t take much imagination to understand that a foreign adversary with access to this information could pose a serious risk to the national security and data protection of American citizens.”he added.
For this reason, the minister explained, the American government is determined to take measures. “proactive” For “protecting American routes from Russian and Chinese technology”.
