Canada is considering to follow the United States in banning the sale of connected vehicles incorporating Chinese technology, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Tuesday, expressing security concerns.
Electronics are increasingly integrated into modern cars, which can connect to personal devices, other vehicles, infrastructure and their manufacturers including electric and self-driving cars.
Asked about the US Commerce Department‘s move to ban some Chinese components in connected vehicles, announced on Monday, Freeland said Canada also has “real security concerns” about the technology.
“Our government has made very clear that we take really seriously intentional Chinese overcapacity, and we take very seriously the security threat from China,” she told reporters in Ottawa.
“That’s why we acted decisively in imposing tariffs on Chinese EVs… And, we are looking at whether we need to impose further measures,” she said.
Canada in August slapped 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports, matching US measures seeking to fend off a flood of Chinese state-subsidized cars into North America.
Freeland also signalled earlier this month that Ottawa would likely impose further tariffs on Chinese batteries, tech products, and critical minerals.
China has slammed the measures as unfair and referred them to the World Trade Organization.
