The politics and economics behind Biden's China-car espionage probe

U.S. President Joe Biden launched an investigation this week into whether Chinese-made vehicles could be used to spy on Americans.

U.S. President Joe Biden, vowing to "do right by U.S. auto workers," launched an investigation this week into whether Chinese-made vehicles could be used to spy on Americans, a far-off threat given the few such cars on U.S. roads now.

The White House announced the probe Thursday citing national-security risks about "connected" cars creating "new avenues for espionage and sabotage."

Biden is campaigning for re-election, and U.S. automakers have voiced fear bordering on panic about having to compete at home with Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). An auto lobbying group recently said this could cause an "extinction event".

China's EV industry has surged past all others in recent years and aims to export vehicles globally, often at far lower prices than American EV offerings.

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Biden nodded to that economic threat in his statement voicing concerns about espionage: "We’re going to make sure the future of the auto industry will be made here in America with American workers."

Political and policy experts acknowledge the threat of Chinese spying but also see Biden's saber-rattling as another opportunity to demonstrate he is tough on China.