Newly proposed Congressional laws would require the US to conduct safety critiques for linked autos constructed by automakers from China and “other countries of concern.” Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), a former CIA analyst and Pentagon official who has championed the problem, launched the invoice on Wednesday.
If handed by Congress (a tall order lately), the Related Automobile Nationwide Safety Evaluation Act would set up a proper evaluation course of for linked autos from Chinese language corporations. It will additionally enable the Division of Commerce to restrict or ban these automobiles and different autos earlier than they attain US shoppers.
“Today’s vehicles are more sophisticated than ever, carrying cameras, radars and other sophisticated sensors, plus the ability to process, transmit and store the data they gather from the United States,” mentioned Slotkin. “If allowed into our markets, Chinese connected vehicles offer the Chinese government a treasure trove of valuable intelligence on the United States, including the potential to collect information on our military bases, critical infrastructure like the power grid and traffic systems, and even locate specific U.S leaders should they so choose.”
In a speech on the Home flooring earlier this month, Slotkin famous that Chinese language EVs, usually bought less expensive than their US and European counterparts, might rapidly achieve a major share of the American market. She cited how Chinese language autos, first bought in Europe in 2019, now make up nearly 1 / 4 of its market. The consultant additionally just 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 information privateness legislation reasonably than coping with these points piecemeal.
The invoice’s introduction follows the Biden Administration’s quadrupling of import tariffs on Chinese language EVs. The White Home’s new EV levies grew from 25 % to 100%, following China’s EV exports rising 70 % between 2022 and 2023.
In February, the White Home additionally ordered the Division of Commerce to analyze the dangers of linked autos from China and different adversaries. Nevertheless, that motion was performed by an government order and might be undone by future administrations. Slotkin’s laws would shut these loopholes if it makes it by Congress — not often a protected wager in at the moment’s extremely obstructed and contentious political surroundings.
