US move to ban Chinese tech from autonomous vehicles gets blowback from Beijing

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) – A proposed US ban on Chinese and Russian technologies in connected and autonomous vehicles got a sharp blowback from Beijing on Wednesday, branding the move “economic coercion."

The ban, targeting software and hardware from "countries of concern," aims to prevent potential remote manipulation of vehicles operating on American roads.

"These technologies include computer systems that control vehicle movement and collect sensitive driver and passenger data as well as cameras and sensors that enable automated driving systems and record detailed information about American infrastructure," a White House statement said Monday.

Set to take effect for 2027 model year for software and 2030 model year for hardware, the move underlines growing US concerns about data security and infrastructure vulnerabilities.

"Chinese automakers are seeking to dominate connected vehicle technologies globally, posing new threats to our national security," said White House, citing risks of surveillance and sabotage.

Beijing swiftly condemned the proposal. China's Commerce Ministry on Wednesday called the decision "economic coercion" and urged immediate withdrawal, vowing to protect Chinese firms' interests.

This latest move aligns with broader US efforts to limit Chinese tech influence, echoing previous actions against companies like Huawei, and signaling a continuing trend of technology-focused national security measures.

Russia, already facing a host of sanctions over the Ukraine war, has not immediately reacted to the US decision.