Democratic Senator Pledges To 'Stand Firm At The Border' To Prevent Chinese Car Imports | Carscoops

      Democrat Elissa Slotkin has proposed a new bill that could prohibit vehicles connected to the internet from China and other countries.

      This initiative builds upon efforts by the Biden administration and promises to be even broader in scope.

      The newly elected senator has positioned this initiative as a strategy to safeguard national security.

      Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin has introduced the Connected Vehicle National Security Review Act, intended to implement a security review for connected vehicles and their components made by companies from China or other nations deemed problematic. The legislation would also create the potential for sales to be restricted or prohibited if they are deemed a threat to national security.

      Slotkin's office has provided limited details, but the bill seems to extend beyond the tariffs implemented during the Trump administration and the Biden administration's measures aimed at Chinese vehicles and technology. The overview suggests that it would “exceed the boundaries set by traditional trade-restriction measures, like tariffs, which may not stop countries of concern from relocating production to Mexico or other countries for export to the U.S.”

      It aims to eliminate that loophole by explicitly targeting “any connected vehicle or vehicle component produced by a company under the ownership, control, or jurisdiction of a country of concern.”

      More: US Finalizes Rule To Ban Chinese Cars And Technology

      While Congress seems accepting of certain automakers and insurance companies monitoring unsuspecting Americans, they evidently draw a line at China. Slotkin remarked, “Chinese vehicles could collect vast amounts of data on America and Americans, which presents a major national security threat.”

      She further pointed out that this data might encompass everything from videos to 3D maps and geolocation information of individual drivers.

      Despite emphasizing the national security implications, Slotkin was quite straightforward when she stated, “I will lay down on the border to keep Chinese vehicles from entering the U.S. market.” However, this sentiment doesn't seem to extend to the Buick Envision or Lincoln Nautilus.