China urged the United States on Wednesday to cease its “unreasonable suppression” of Chinese companies, following U.S. proposals to ban Chinese software and hardware in vehicles over national security concerns.
A spokesperson for the Chinese commerce ministry criticized the U.S. actions, stating, “The U.S. move has no factual basis, violates the principles of market economy and fair competition, and is a typical protectionist approach.”
The U.S. Commerce Department proposed a regulation that would require American and major foreign automakers to eliminate key Chinese software and hardware from internet-connected vehicles, particularly those related to navigation systems.
This initiative, reported first by Reuters, aims to address concerns about data collection by connected Chinese vehicles and the potential for foreign manipulation of vehicles, effectively barring Chinese cars and trucks from the U.S. market.
The Chinese spokesperson argued that such actions “seriously affect the normal cooperation between China and the United States in the field of connected vehicles,” disrupt the global automotive industry supply chain, and ultimately harm the interests of U.S. consumers.
The U.S. has been enforcing stringent export bans on semiconductors, and the latest proposal represents a significant escalation in restrictions on Chinese vehicles, software, and components amid ongoing national security disputes between the two nations. The spokesperson called for the U.S. to “immediately revoke its restrictive moves,” emphasizing the need for fair and open competition in the market.
Source: Reuters
