The United States is set to ban specific hardware and software from China and Russia in vehicles, including cars, trucks, and buses, citing national security risks. Officials expressed concerns that such technology, particularly related to autonomous driving and connectivity, could enable foreign adversaries to remotely manipulate vehicles on American roads.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo emphasized the proactive nature of these measures, stating, “Cars today have cameras, microphones, GPS tracking, and other technologies connected to the internet. It doesn’t take much imagination to understand how a foreign adversary with access to this information could pose a serious risk to both our national security and the privacy of US citizens.”
Chinese officials criticized the US for broadening the concept of national security to unfairly target Chinese companies. Lin Jian, a spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, urged the US to maintain an open and fair market environment for Chinese enterprises.
The proposed ban, which will enter a comment period, is part of broader efforts by the White House to limit China’s influence in the automotive supply chain. This includes recent tariff increases on electric vehicles and batteries, as well as a ban on importing Chinese-made cargo cranes due to cybersecurity concerns.
The software prohibitions are set to take effect with the model year 2027, while hardware regulations will follow three years later, allowing the industry time to adjust. John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, noted that while there is currently minimal use of Chinese technology in US vehicles, the rules may necessitate finding new suppliers, which could complicate supply chain management.
“The lead time included in the proposed rule will allow some auto manufacturers to make the required transition but may be too short for others,” he said, emphasizing the complexity of the automotive supply chain.
