US to finalize Chinese vehicle crackdown rules next week, Raimondo says

Washington: So, here’s the scoop. The Biden administration is gearing up to finalize some pretty big rules next week. They’re cracking down on Chinese vehicle software and hardware, and it’s all about national security, according to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

Back in September, they proposed a ban on key Chinese tech in connected vehicles. This could mean no more Chinese cars and trucks on American roads. Major automakers will need to ditch that Chinese tech in their vehicles sold here in the coming years.

Raimondo mentioned they wanted to hear from the industry before making a final call. She stressed the importance of getting it right, saying they don’t want to see two million Chinese cars on the road and then find out there’s a security threat.

The White House gave the green light to the final rule just recently. The plan is to have software bans kick in for the 2027 model year, while hardware restrictions will start in 2029.

Some big players in the auto industry, like General Motors and Toyota, are asking for more time to meet these new hardware requirements. They’re hoping for at least an extra year to get everything sorted out.

Even Honda is on board with the idea of extending the deadlines by two years to make sure they can do all the necessary testing and updates.

And let’s not forget, the Biden administration has already slapped some hefty tariffs on Chinese imports, including a 100% duty on electric vehicles. It’s a big deal.

Looking ahead, President-elect Donald Trump has plans to keep Chinese auto imports in check, but he’s open to the idea of Chinese companies building cars in the U.S. He’s all about creating jobs for American workers.