The U.S. Commerce Department has proposed a ban on the sale of connected and autonomous vehicles equipped with Chinese and Russian software and hardware, citing national security concerns.
The new rule would take effect for the 2027 model year for software and in 2030 for hardware.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stressed that the measure is a preventive measure to protect American drivers.
While the use of Chinese and Russian software in American cars is currently minimal, reliance on foreign hardware in vehicles is more widespread.
As cars increasingly rely on digital systems such as microphones, cameras, GPS and Bluetooth, fears are growing that personal data could fall into the hands of foreign adversaries.
In extreme cases, Raimondo warned, malicious actors could remotely control vehicles, potentially leading to accidents or disruptions.
“This is not about trade or economic advantage,” Raimondo said. “This is strictly a national security action. The good news is we don’t have a lot of Chinese or Russian cars on our roads right now.”
She warned that the rapid adoption of Chinese electric cars in Europe is a “cautionary tale”.
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On the other side of the Atlantic, concerns have already been raised about the data-driven nature of modern vehicles.
The potential risks associated with data flows under foreign control were highlighted by Janka Oertel, Director of the Asia Programme of the European Council on Foreign Relations.
“Who controls these data flows and software updates is anything but a trivial question. The answers to this question touch on issues such as national security, cybersecurity and individual privacy,” Oertel wrote on the council’s website.
The proposed U.S. regulation would ban the import and sale of vehicles with Chinese or Russian hardware and software capable of external communications, such as via Bluetooth, satellite or Wi-Fi.
It would also ban the use of software from these countries in highly autonomous vehicles, even if they are made in the U.S.
This includes all cars that can drive without a human behind the wheel.
Non-road vehicles, such as agricultural or mining equipment, are not covered by the regulations.
The decision to include Russia in the ban comes amid the country’s efforts to revive its auto industry.
Although the US currently imports few auto products from Russia, authorities want to take proactive steps to prevent future dependency.
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While U.S. automakers have largely expressed support for the Commerce Department’s national security concerns, some have also raised concerns about logistics.
John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, warned that some automakers may be able to adapt in time, but others may struggle to replace Chinese or Russian suppliers.
“You can’t just flip a switch and change the world’s most complex supply chain overnight,” Bozzella said.
The Commerce Department is inviting public comment on the proposed regulations for 30 days before they are finalized. This process is expected to be completed by the end of the Biden administration.
Earlier this month, President Biden called for tougher measures against cheap Chinese imports.
Efforts are being stepped up to reduce US dependence on Beijing and strengthen domestic production, given the growing popularity of platforms like Temu and Shein.
According to a statement from the White House, the number of small package shipments increased from 140 million a year to more than 1 billion last year.
This article contains reporting from The Associated Press
