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Canada proposes 100% tariffs on Tesla, I have an alternative: open the door to Chinese EVs (electrek.co)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/canada@lemmy.ca
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[–] -1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

We already have Chinese phones, applications, computers and networks.

I don't believe cars are not a meaningful attack vector relative to the economic benefit. Tiktok is a far larger threat.

The trade disputes related to Meng Wanzhou are nothing in comparison to what the US is doing right now.

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  • [–] 9 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    I don’t believe cars are not a meaningful attack vector

    Considering that EVs are now ranked as the worst offenders for spying on people, just imagine if China was being fed live audio/video + locations of all their customers. They could effectively set up actual surveillance that saturates every populated square meter of the country (including in people's garages or driveways!) through the Trojan horse of affordable EVs.

    We should be cautious.

    That said, if China can provide safe and affordable EVs that aren't connected to the internet... basically a dumb car that runs on batteries... it would be a much better thing for anyone considering a new vehicle.

    Personally, I'd rather support Canadian, European, or Japanese auto manufacturers.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago (1 child)

    Valid. I understand where you're coming from.

    That said, if China can provide safe and affordable EVs that aren’t connected to the internet… basically a dumb car that runs on batteries

    That would be ideal. If that was the goal, I'd support requirements for that. But that's not what we have, we have gigantic tariffs that were implemented because America did the same.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 year ago

    That would be ideal. If that was the goal, I’d support requirements for that. But that’s not what we have, we have gigantic tariffs that were implemented because America did the same.

    Tariffs aside, the EU is already making it so cars with fewer screens and more buttons will get a higher safety rating.

    That's a step in the right direction, and hopefully, the requirement for all vehicles to have an "offline mode" will be implemented soon, too.

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  • [–] 5 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    In case you hadn't noticed, Chinese devices are frequently banned in Canada, especially for government use.

    Chinese gear in telecom networks is either not allowed or being phased out. Chinese cellphones are not allowed for government use. Chinese apps are not allowed on government machines.

    I do believe cars are a meaningful attack vector, with enough market penetration the ability to just "turn them off" could cripple the country, and there's not much point in letting them in if we limit the percentage down to something that would lessen the impact.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    I don't see that happening outside of an outright war with China. I dont think that's very likely. If you have evidence of them doing stuff like that already I'd be open to changing my mind on the topic.

    I think it's much more likely they'll just continue buying up our companies like Husky and trying to turn us into an economic puppet state. Which is still better than the stated American alternative of being the 51st state.

    They lose that power and risk nationalization of their assets if they go too far. They know that.

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  • [–] 5 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    Why do you think there wouldn't be an outright war with China?

    They plan on invading Taiwan at some point, and we'll probably be funding the defence there.

    They've already got paid at that point, and with the sanctions we're likely to slap on them we wouldn't be buying more anyways, so why wouldn't they just brick all the existing cars in retaliation? or use it as a threat to try to keep us from retaliating?

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago

    They've been planning on invading Taiwan for nearly a decade.

    That conflict overall is as old as the CCP. The reason it ended was the US threatening to step in: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_memoranda/RM4900.html

    China holds Trillions in foreign assets in the West, they'd be kissing that all goodbye.

    I'd bet on Russia getting invaded by China far sooner than Taiwan. In fact, either than the Sino-Vietnam war, the war with the Soviets is their most recent war.

    Russia simply has less allies and has more of what China needs and wants, fresh water, uncontested ports and oil among many other things. They also have a (recent) historic claim to Outer Manchuria too.

    Even Russia knows this:

    https://www.ft.com/content/758ff1ca-6ac1-4188-9b61-c514638447b1

    As the war with Ukraine grinds soviet stockpiles down, Russia gets weaker and weaker. Taiwan on the other hand has a lot of allies and is very defensible.

    Chinese philosophy and military doctrine is clear. The threats to Taiwan escalate while railways are being made towards the Russian Far East 'for trade'.

    "All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near."

    "Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt."

    Invading Taiwan might be the most obvious, telegraphed invasion in history.

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