This week, President The outgoing Joe Biden administration ended rules that effectively banned all Chinese- and Russian-connected vehicle tech from American roads—a landmark crackdown that will have far-reaching effects, at least in increasing trade of inexpensive Chinese EVs.

The US Commerce Department argued that the rules, first proposed in Septemberneeded to protect American vehicles from foreign enemies and interference. “Imagine if there were thousands or hundreds of thousands of Chinese-connected vehicles on American roads that could be disabled simultaneously by one person in Beijing,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said last year. Restrictions against Chinese and Russian software will begin in 2027, with hardware restrictions to follow in 2029.

On paper, that might sound like a disaster for Waymo. Self-driving tech developer Alphabet announced in 2021 that automaker Zeekr—a brand majority-owned by Chinese automotive giant Geely—will build the next generation of robotaxis.

In fact, preproduction models are already testing on the roads of San Francisco and Phoenix, with Zeekr officials telling reporters earlier this month that it will begin delivering a production version of the car, which called Zeekr RT, later this year.

Despite the new rules, Waymo is confident that this partnership will not be affected and intends to continue as planned.

“We do not expect the final rule to affect our use of the Zeekr platform,” Waymo spokesman Ethan Teicher wrote in an email to WIRED.

In comments submitted to the Commerce Department last year, Waymo argued that its vehicles should not be subject to the new rules because all of the connected technology onboard is American-owned and equipped.

The vehicles that Waymo receives from Geely are, it says, “base vehicles,” stripped of telematics systems and any other technology that would allow the vehicle to communicate with, or send data back to, its manufacturer. Only “authorized personnel” install Waymo’s self-driving technology in cars after they are delivered to the United States.

The Commerce Department did not respond to WIRED’s questions about Waymo’s Zeekr partnership.

Now, Waymo operates its self-driving ride-hail service using a modified Jaguar I-Pace electric cars in metro Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Atlanta and Austin are expected to join later this year.

The company too signed an agreement with Hyundai to use the modified Ioniq 5s of its ride-hailing fleet later this year.

While Waymo remains confident in this new cars —with plenty of legroom, a high ceiling, and a short step that make the vehicles accessible to many riders—will defy the ban, it’s not yet clear whether they can be reduced to new, 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicleswhich was ended by the Biden administration last fall.

“We’re watching the tariffs closely, but Waymo’s plans are on track,” Teicher confirmed.