The United States finalized a rule barring Chinese and Russian technology in passenger vehicles, effective with model year 2027 for software and model year 2030 for hardware, which aims to mitigate national security risks as the automotive industry becomes increasingly reliant on connected technologies.
Details of the new regulations
The announcement, made by the U.S. Commerce Department, indicates that vehicles produced domestically will still be restricted if they include hardware and software linked to manufacturers with “a sufficient nexus” to China or Russia. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo highlighted that modern cars are “not just steel on wheels — they’re computers,” equipped with cameras, microphones, and GPS tracking that connect to the internet.
National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard emphasized concerns over China’s ambitions in the automotive sector, asserting, “China is trying to dominate the future of the auto industry.” She warned that the presence of foreign technology could lead to the misuse of sensitive data or vehicle interference.
The Department of Commerce stated that the rule primarily pertains to passenger vehicles under 10,001 pounds, with separate regulations planned for commercial vehicles like trucks and buses to be introduced soon. Notably, the regulations prohibit the import of hardware and software linked to these geopolitical adversaries.
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The Bureau of Industry and Security within the Commerce Department determined during the regulatory process that certain technologies originating from these countries pose “an undue and unacceptable risk” to U.S. national security. The rule aims to safeguard American user privacy by preventing foreign manipulation of vehicle technologies that could compromise personal information.
In conjunction with the new vehicle regulations, the U.S. government also announced fresh export rules regarding AI chips, reinforcing its commitment to limiting China and other rivals’ access to advanced technologies. Concerns regarding the risk of sabotage have heightened, as evidenced by reports of recent malicious cyber activities potentially connected to foreign adversaries.
Biden has urged the incoming administration to safeguard American dominance in artificial intelligence, insisting on a strong infrastructure to support technological development within the country.
Responses from China to these developments have indicated potential retaliatory measures, with the Chinese Commerce Ministry critiquing the U.S. actions as “a flagrant violation” of international trade rules, stating that necessary measures will be taken to protect China’s rights and interests.
Featured image credit: Patrick Konior/Unsplash
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