‘US ban on Chinese EV software protectionist’

Chinese experts on Sunday criticised a reported plan of the US to ban Chinese-made software and hardware in connected and autonomous vehicles in the US, saying the move lays bare Washington’s reckless attempt to politicise trade issues and will hurt the global auto industry supply chain, including the US’ own companies.

Coming after Washington has announced hefty additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), the proposal, which is said to be announced soon, further showed the US’ all-out effort to contain the development of China’s auto industry; however, such effort runs counter to basic economic laws and will not stop the development of China’s auto industry, experts noted.

The US Department of Commerce is expected to propose a ban on Chinese software and hardware in connected and autonomous vehicles on US roads due to national security concerns, Reuters reported over the weekend, citing two unnamed sources. According to Reuters, the proposal was  set to be announced yesterday.

Specifically, import and sale of vehicles from China with key communications or automated driving system software or hardware would be banned. The US Commerce Department plans to implement the ban on software in the 2027 model year and the ban on hardware would take effect in January 2029 or the 2030 model year.

The reported ban comes after Washington recently announced a 100 percent tariff on Chinese EVs, in an attempt to crack down on the burgeoning Chinese EV industry. It also comes as US officials have stepped up the smear campaign against Chinese EVs and other products, often with fear-mongering rhetoric. — Global Times.