The US government is planning to ban certain hardware and software made in China and Russia from cars, trucks, and buses in the US due to security risks. Officials said they were concerned that this technology, used in autonomous driving systems and for connecting vehicles to other networks, could allow adversaries to “remotely manipulate vehicles on American roads.”
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Currently, there is minimal use of Chinese or Russian-made software in American cars. However, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated that the plan represents “targeted, proactive” steps to protect the US. “Cars today have cameras, microphones, GPS tracking, and other technologies connected to the internet,” she said in a statement. “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.”
In response, Chinese officials criticized the move, saying the US is expanding the “concept of national security” to unfairly target Chinese companies. Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated: “China opposes the US’s broadening of the concept of national security and the discriminatory actions taken against Chinese companies and products. We urge the US to respect market principles and provide an open, fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises.”
The proposal will now enter a public comment period and is the latest effort by the White House to limit China’s presence in the car manufacturing supply chain. Previously, the White House raised tariffs on electric cars, electric vehicle batteries, and various other items. It also banned the import of Chinese-made cargo cranes due to cybersecurity risks. In February, the US launched an investigation to assess cyber risks from so-called connected cars.
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The proposed software prohibitions would take effect starting with model year 2027, while hardware rules would come into force three years later, giving the industry more time to adjust their supply chains. John Bozzella, President and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing major car companies, stated that although very little Chinese technology currently enters the US vehicle supply chain, the new rule would force some companies to find new suppliers.
“I’ve said this in other contexts, but it applies here too: you can’t just flip a switch and change the world’s most complex supply chain overnight,” he said. “The lead time included in the proposed rule will allow some automakers to make the required transition, but it may be too short for others.” He also said that the association would continue to provide its perspective as the final rules are developed.
