The United States wants to ban self-driving cars. Scholars- There is no way to stop the growth of China’s electric vehicle industry.

During a recent interview, Scott Kennedy, a senior advisor and board member at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), shared his insights on the future of China’s automotive industry amid increasing tensions. He emphasized that the U.S. will almost certainly ban Chinese self-driving cars, as well as the import of connected vehicles and components, but he believes this move will not hinder the rapid growth of China’s electric vehicle industry.

Kennedy stated, “China has now established itself as a competitive player in the global automotive industry. Its robust supply chain, coupled with companies like Xiaomi entering the electric vehicle sector, is driving innovation and technological breakthroughs in the country.”

In his lecture titled “Industry Dynamics and Geostrategic Challenges in Supply Chain Restructuring,” which took place on October 16, Kennedy argued that America’s actions are isolating, and that the U.S. market is not as significant as perceived. He pointed out that companies in Taiwan, such as Foxconn, are developing their electric vehicle strategies. However, he warns that if they only focus on the Taiwanese market, achieving scale comparable to that of Chinese manufacturers will be challenging. He stressed the importance of defining value clearly and understanding leading-edge technology to effectively compete on a global scale.

Kennedy also highlighted a broader global challenge. He emphasized that governments and industry stakeholders must reconsider the entire global economic architecture, which is undergoing fundamental changes. “For the past 20 years, we’ve maintained a system of free trade and investment, which allowed Taiwan to integrate into the global economy through its mature ICT trade in 2001.”

Discussing economic security, Kennedy noted that the current unease in trade relations is a response to rising tensions, influenced by events like the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in the socio-economic landscape. “These trends are creating new opportunities,” he remarked.

He underscored the necessity for deep mutual trust among trading partners to ensure safe collaboration. Countries are increasingly focusing on preventing technology leaks for economic security, aiming to bolster supply chain resilience and reduce over-reliance on any single country.

Kennedy pointed out that while the U.S. has taken steps to impose restrictions and tariffs to ultimately ban Chinese products, it is coordinating with various global allies to implement these measures. “However, this strategy, while enhancing economic security and supply chain resilience, can lead to unintended consequences. Ironically, China may end up being more significant than ever,” he concluded.