“China is determined to dominate the future of the auto market, including by using unfair practices,” said President Joe Biden Thursday. “China’s policies could flood our market with its vehicles, posing risks to our national security. I’m not going to let that happen on my watch.”
Per an October article published by the Kelley Blue Book, there are “no cars built by Chinese automakers available in America today,” but “China’s automakers are planning to cross that border soon.”
Chinese citizens bought more cars than Americans last year, shifting the center of the auto from the U.S., said Kelley. A Chinese company BYD already owns a 556,000-square-foot factory in Lancaster, Calif., where electric buses and motor coaches are manufactured.
Biden’s statement covered what the White House described as national security risks related to the automotive industry. He said that since modern cars are “connected” to our phones, navigation systems and more, so cars from China could be a way for the country to collect sensitive data.
“China imposes restrictions on American autos and other foreign autos operating in China,” said the president. “Why should connected vehicles from China be allowed to operate in our country without safeguards?”
In a Thursday press release, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that it had issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public comment regarding potential regulations aimed at connected vehicles. It said China presents a persistent and acute threat to the Information and Communications Technology and Services supply chain.
“It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to think of how foreign government with access to connected vehicles could pose a serious risk to both our national security and the personal privacy of U.S. citizens,” explained U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.
The president also said he instructed the department to investigate connected vehicles from countries of concern. As of the most recent countries of concern update from the U.S. State Department on Dec. 29, the countries are: Burma, People’s Republic of China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
“As President I vowed to do right by auto workers and middle-class families that depend on the auto industry for jobs. With this and other actions, we’re going to make sure the future of the auto industry will be made here in America with American workers,” said Biden.