Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said that the U.S. might do something big, like banning or putting restrictions on Chinese-connected vehicles. This is the first time they’ve mentioned a ban after a security investigation.
The Commerce Department is looking at public comments that were due by April 30. Raimondo told Reuters that they need to look at all the information before deciding what to do. She said they could take big action, like not allowing Chinese-connected vehicles in the U.S., or they could try to make it safer with protections or other requirements.
The White House started this investigation in February because they’re worried about Chinese vehicles collecting a lot of private information about drivers and passengers. Raimondo said at a U.S. House of Representatives hearing that she’s worried about Chinese vehicles collecting lots of data on Americans. She thinks the U.S. needs to be more serious about this threat.
President Joe Biden has said many times that he’ll stop Chinese vehicles from coming into the U.S. in large numbers.
There aren’t many Chinese-made cars being brought into the U.S. right now.
Car companies say it might be hard to change their technology systems to make them safer. They’re working on making systems for connected vehicles that can lower risks from Chinese-designed systems.
But changing vehicle systems isn’t easy. The South Korean government said in a filing that they’re worried about how broad the investigation is and when new rules might come.
A Senator said he wants to ban all Chinese internet-connected vehicles and smart vehicle technology.
The Biden administration is also thinking about putting tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles and might restrict Chinese electric vehicles coming from Mexico.
In March, China’s government said that Chinese cars are popular because they’re good, not because of any unfair tricks.
Last year, some U.S. lawmakers were worried about Chinese companies collecting sensitive information while testing self-driving cars in the U.S.
