United States pressures Mexico to monitor Chinese electric vehicles, citing concerns for national security.

In a recent development, US lawmakers have expressed concerns over the potential increase of Chinese automakers in Mexico's market, raising the possibility that these companies may bypass US tariffs and threaten national security.

The letter, signed by Senators Gary Peters, Debbie Stabenow, Tammy Baldwin, and Representative Elissa Slotkin, along with Senator Sherrod Brown, urges President-Elect Claudia Sheinbaum to address the national security issues related to internet-connected vehicles produced in Mexico by Chinese automakers.

The concerns stem from the fact that modern cars and trucks are equipped with onboard networking hardware that provides internet access and allows data sharing. This data, under the control of the Chinese Communist Party, poses a national security threat, according to the lawmakers' letter.

Notably, the Biden administration has already taken steps to limit the presence of Chinese-made electric vehicles in the US market. In 2022, Congress passed a law to prevent these vehicles from receiving tax credits, and the administration has also raised tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles by 100%.

Last week, Joe Biden proposed banning Chinese software and hardware in connected vehicles on American roads, a proposal that is yet to be implemented.

The US fears that China could use data collected by connected vehicles for surveillance or control them remotely via the internet and navigation systems. This concern is heightened by the fact that only four Chinese light vehicles are currently being sold in the United States.

China, however, has rejected the US criticism, stating that the measure lacks a factual basis, violates principles of market economy and fair competition, and is a typical protectionist approach.

One of the companies that could be affected by these measures is Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD, which is planning to build a factory in Mexico.

As of now, the exact planned date for a delegation of US Congress members to discuss these security risks with President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum is not specified. The letter from lawmakers does not mention any specific plans to address the national security concerns related to internet-connected vehicles produced in Mexico by Chinese automakers.

United States pressures Mexico to monitor Chinese electric vehicles, citing concerns for national security.