US bans Chinese tech in smart cars, citing national security risks

The United States finalised a rule on Tuesday effectively barring Chinese technology from cars in the American market, taking aim at software and hardware from the world’s second-biggest economy over national security risks.

The announcement, which also pertains to Russian technology, comes as outgoing President Joe Biden wraps up efforts to step up curbs on China, and after a months-long regulatory process.

The rule follows an announcement this month that Washington is mulling new restrictions to address risks posed by drones with tech from adversaries like China and Russia.

“Cars today aren’t just steel on wheels – they’re computers,” said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

She noted that modern vehicles contain cameras, microphones, GPS tracking and other technologies connected to the internet.

“This is a targeted approach to ensure we keep [the] PRC and Russian-manufactured technologies off American roads,” she added, referring to the People’s Republic of China.