Raimondo says it’s ‘possible’ for Chinese EVs to one day be on U.S. roads

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in an exclusive interview with CNBC’s Eunice Yoon on Tuesday that Chinese electric vehicles could one day be used if the government has enough control over the software and sensors. Driving on American roads.

“It’s possible. I can see a day when we have cars on American roads,” Raimondo said, “but not unless we have very strict controls and conditions on the software and sensors in those cars. “

In addition to using batteries instead of gasoline as power, today’s electric vehicles are usually equipped with a set of driving assistance software and in-car entertainment systems that can be synchronized with the user’s mobile phone.

That has raised concerns about data collection — the White House said in late February that the Commerce Department would Investigating whether “connected cars” imported from China pose a national security risk.

“Because ultimately we have to protect the American people from the threats posed by China,” Raimondo said, claiming Beijing could gain access to location data or personal information transmitted through Chinese-made cars.

“It doesn’t matter whether these cars are made in Mexico or Beijing,” she said.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “The Chinese government has never and will never require any company or individual to collect or provide overseas data, information or intelligence in violation of local laws.”

Concerns about Beijing’s potential access to data have also prompted U.S. lawmakers to consider a bill that could effectively ban TikTok from operating there. The popular social media app is owned by China’s ByteDance.

When asked about the bill, Raimondo said she supports such legislation.

“I think if we had enough tools, we might be able to mitigate the risk (from TikTok), but we might not be able to,” she said. “I think a ban is something that needs to be considered as well.”

Raimondo also said that the United States has “made significant progress” in its efforts to ensure the security of supply chains, especially in the semiconductor field.

Representatives have announced more than $1 billion in recently completed or planned investments in the Philippines, according to a report. Released by the Ministry of Commerce.

“This is an opportunity that we see and we welcome it,” Philippine Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said of U.S. efforts to “build rapport” or secure its supply chains. Tell Yin.

“Are we happy about this? Yes, of course we are happy, but it does not cut ties with any other country,” Pascual said in an exclusive interview. “In general, China remains is our largest trading partner. Our largest source of imports is China. So that relationship will continue.”

Raimondo claimed that her visit to the Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia was “not for China,” but to make the United States and its companies the “partner of choice” for businesses in the region.

The U.S. report highlighted companies investing in the Philippines such as Google, Mastercard and Microsoft.

US solar panel company Sol-Go is also on the list. Sol-Go CEO and Chairman Scott McHugo said the company is building a new factory in the Philippine Free Trade Zone to sell its products globally.

He said the company’s presence in the Philippines since 2014 and its existing relationships with local manufacturers prompted Sol-Go to make the investment decision over Vietnam and Turkey.

As for China, McHugo said once the current project and its total investment of more than $5 million are completed in about 18 months, he would be “pretty open” to considering investments elsewhere, including China, where he has been operating for a decade. For many years.