Chinese-Made Cars in US: Joe Biden orders investigation into security risks

Washington: US President Joe Biden has ordered the US Secretary of Commerce to investigate possible security risks of Chinese-manufactured cars, The Washington Post reported.

Presidential Directive
In a statement released by the White House, Biden stated, "I am announcing unprecedented actions to ensure that cars on US roads from countries of concern like China do not undermine our national security. I have directed my Secretary of Commerce to conduct an investigation into connected vehicles with technology from countries of concern and to take action to respond to the risks."

China's Auto Market Ambitions
Biden noted that China is determined to dominate the future of the auto market, including by use of unfair means. He said that China's policies could flood US market with its vehicles, posing risks to US national security. He stated that the majority of cars these days are connected to mobile phones, navigation, critical infrastructure and the companies which have manufactured them. He stressed that connected vehicles from China could gather sensitive data about Americans and their infrastructure and send the information to China.

National Security Concerns
In the statement, Biden said, "China imposes restrictions on American autos and other foreign autos operating in China. Why should connected vehicles from China be allowed to operate in our country without safeguards?"

Parallel with Huawei Controversy
The decision announced by Biden echoes the US administration's campaign against the Chinese telecom giant Huawei, which the United States accused of posing security risks to communications infrastructure, according to The Washington Post report. The US has banned the import or sale of Huawei's telecom-network gear. The US administration has also urged allied nations not to use it.

(With ANI inputs)