Chinese cars, most of which are electric, have been at the center of a real fight. The application of additional tariffs on these imports has already become a standard, but the US now wants to take it even further. It is considering banning Chinese electric cars due to the fault of the hardware and software of these vehicles.
US may ban Chinese electric cars
The US Commerce Department plans to ban the import and sale of Chinese-made cars that contain certain communications systems or autonomous driving technologies. The ban, which is set to take effect for software in 2027 and for hardware in 2029, aims to prevent Chinese companies from collecting data in the US.
The Commerce Department's proposed regulation would cover vehicles with Bluetooth, satellite and wireless connectivity, as well as self-driving vehicles. Vehicles from other countries, such as Russia, could also be included in the ban due to similar national security concerns.
The move is seen as part of the Biden administration's strategy to encourage domestic production while limiting imports in critical sectors. The U.S. government is concerned that millions of Chinese cars in the U.S. could be vulnerable to cyberattacks and remote tampering.
Due to the vehicles' hardware and software
Claiming that cars today function as “smartphones on wheels” that constantly collect and share data, the US government claims that this data can access users’ phones, home networks and even critical infrastructure.
The proposed ban aims to prevent sensitive data on U.S. drivers and transportation systems from falling into the hands of foreign powers. Automakers are naturally opposed to the ban, arguing that it would be difficult and costly to make changes to vehicle designs.
They stress that vehicle systems undergo rigorous safety testing and suppliers cannot be easily replaced. The Commerce Department will also launch a 30-day trial period before making a final decision.
Source: pplware.sapo.pt
