Despite strained ties, U.S. senator says Canada should be cautious of making deals with China

As Canada prepares to accept more Chinese-made electric vehicles into the country, a U.S. senator is warning that although Canada-U.S. ties are strained, Canadian officials should be cautious when making agreements with China's government.

"I understand that Canada is looking elsewhere and trying to diversify," Michigan Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin said.

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"Jjust because we [the U.S.] have become more difficult doesn't mean the Chinese are always the straightest shooters when it comes to national security," Slotkin [said].

The Michigan senator, also a former CIA officer, explained her concerns with a Chinese-made EV sending back 3D video and geolocation data, which could be "hacked back to Beijing."

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"They're national security issues, not just economic security issues," Slotkin said. She and a Republican senator from Ohio have also introduced a bill banning the import, sale and operation of vehicles manufactured in China.

Slotkin's security concerns echo those made by other Canadian officials — including Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Ontario Premier Doug Ford — and some Canadian experts.

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Over the last decade, China has passed a series of national security and intelligence laws that oblige Chinese companies to co-operate with the government when asked. A similar law in the U.S., called the Cloud Act, compels American technology companies to share data gathered in foreign countries with the government if asked.

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