U.S. Lawmakers Urge Mexico to Address Security Concerns Over Chinese Vehicles

Twenty Democrats in the U.S. Congress have called on Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum to tackle national security issues posed by internet-connected vehicles made by Chinese automakers in Mexico. They fear that China could utilize the data for surveillance or control. The Biden administration is already taking steps to limit Chinese automobiles from entering the U.S. market.

Twenty Democrats in the U.S. Congress have urged Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum to address national security concerns linked to internet-connected vehicles produced by Chinese automakers in Mexico.

Modern cars and trucks come equipped with onboard network hardware for internet access, enabling them to share data with devices inside and outside the vehicle. Leading the initiative, Representative Elissa Slotkin and Senator Sherrod Brown requested Sheinbaum to conduct a national review and send a delegation to the U.S. for discussions by early 2025.

There are fears that China, regarded as both a strategic and economic competitor, could exploit this data for surveillance or even to remotely control vehicles. The letter, co-signed by Senators Gary Peters, Debbie Stabenow, and Tammy Baldwin, emphasized that this data under the control of the Chinese Communist Party poses a national security threat.

Last week, President Joe Biden proposed a ban on Chinese software and hardware in connected vehicles in the U.S., which would effectively prohibit Chinese cars and trucks from the American market. China has rejected these criticisms, labeling the move as baseless and protectionist.

The Biden administration has been taking measures to restrict Chinese automobiles, hiking tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles by 100% earlier this month. Legislation was also passed in 2022 to deny tax credits for Chinese-built EVs. Lawmakers are concerned that Chinese automakers could use Mexico as a production base to sidestep these tariffs, particularly with Chinese EV maker BYD planning to construct a factory in Mexico.

(With inputs from agencies.)