TAIPEI (TVBS News) — China criticized on Monday (March 4) the imposing of restrictions on its car exports by the US, which cited concerns over "national security."
The U.S. declared on Feb. 29 that it would subject Chinese-produced Internet-connected cars to a security risk review.
In a statement released on March 4, China's Ministry of Commerce expressed serious concerns about the U.S. move and claimed it could harm American consumers by distorting the global automotive supply chain. It also criticized America's discriminatory subsidy policies and high tariffs on Chinese cars.
The Chinese ministry urged the U.S. to respect market principles and create a fair environment. It vowed to continue assessing the follow-up situation of the U.S. review and take necessary measures to maintain China's rights and interests.
The White House alleges that these Internet-connected cars can collect sensitive data on U.S. citizens and infrastructure and transmit it to the Chinese government, making the investigation necessary.
President Biden echoed this sentiment, calling the potential influx of Chinese cars into the U.S. market an "unprecedented action" posing risks to national security.
A U.S. government official anonymously stated that while a ban on Chinese electric cars has not been suggested, import restrictions might be applied to entire vehicles or parts, and such limitations could affect a range of connected and autonomous vehicles and their components.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo described mainland China's smart connected cars as "iPhones on wheels," suggesting they could collect Americans' data and send it back to China. She also speculated that if there were 3 million Chinese cars on U.S. roads, Beijing could simultaneously turn them off.