US House bill would require national security reviews on connected vehicles from China

Newly proposed Congressional laws would require the US to conduct safety critiques for linked automobiles constructed by automakers from China and “different international locations of concern.” Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), a former CIA analyst and Pentagon official who has championed the problem, introduced the invoice on Wednesday.

If handed by Congress (a tall order lately), the Related Automobile Nationwide Safety Evaluate Act would set up a proper evaluation course of for linked autos from Chinese language corporations. It will additionally permit the Division of Commerce to restrict or ban these vehicles and different automobiles earlier than they attain US shoppers.

“In the present day’s automobiles are extra refined than ever, carrying cameras, radars and different refined sensors, plus the flexibility to course of, transmit and retailer the info they collect from the US,” stated Slotkin. “If allowed into our markets, Chinese language linked automobiles supply the Chinese language authorities a treasure trove of worthwhile intelligence on the US, together with the potential to gather info on our army bases, essential infrastructure like the ability grid and site visitors methods, and even find particular U.S leaders ought to they so select.”

In a speech on the Home flooring earlier this month, Slotkin famous that Chinese language EVs, typically offered less expensive than their US and European counterparts, might quickly gain a significant share of the American market. She cited how Chinese language automobiles, first offered in Europe in 2019, now make up virtually 1 / 4 of its market. The consultant additionally lately pushed Secretary of the Military Christine Wormuth and Secretary of Protection Lloyd Austin on the safety hole.

Alternatively (and maybe ideally), legislators might go a complete knowledge privateness regulation somewhat than coping with these points piecemeal.

The invoice’s introduction follows the Biden Administration’s quadrupling of import tariffs on Chinese EVs. The White Home’s new EV levies grew from 25 p.c to 100%, following China’s EV exports rising 70 p.c between 2022 and 2023.

In February, the White Home additionally ordered the Division of Commerce to research the dangers of linked automobiles from China and different adversaries. Nevertheless, that motion was performed by an govt order and could possibly be undone by future administrations. Slotkin’s laws would shut these loopholes if it makes it by Congress — not often a protected guess in right this moment’s extremely obstructed and contentious political setting.