American automakers calls Congress to block Chinese car sales/Image: Reuters
Bozzella said a permanent ban approved by the current Congress would send a broader message about Washington’s response to China’s expansion in the global automotive industry. A major US auto trade group is calling Congress to permanently ban Chinese vehicles in the country, warning that growing competition could threaten American auto production and raise data-security concerns.
Alliance president and CEO John Bozzella said Chinese companies benefit from government support while expanding into overseas markets. Bozzella said Chinese connected vehicles could gather consumer and vehicle data that might be accessible to Chinese authorities. “This hasn’t happened inside the U.S. yet, but given the scale and urgency of this threat, we urge you to enact a Chinese vehicle, software and hardware ban before adjourning this year and make this policy the law of the land,” he wrote. “Enacting a permanent ban on Chinese vehicles and high-risk hardware and software in the 119th Congress will send a clear and bipartisan message that China’s strategy to dominate global automotive manufacturing will be met with a national security policy response from the American government,” he wrote.
He urged Congress to act before Chinese automakers establish a substantial presence in the US market. The issue is already under consideration in Congress, where lawmakers from both parties are examining proposals to limit Chinese influence in the US automotive sector.