While Ford Motor Company announced on September 25 that it has paused its partnership with world’s number two EV battery maker, Republican lawmakers complain that Ford will not release confidential business information pertaining to its agreement to license Chinese technology.
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd., better known as CATL, is the largest global maker of batteries for electric and hybrid cars, supplying General Motors, Volkswagen, BMW, Tesla, Daimler’s electric buses and trucks, as well as many Chinese EV manufacturers. The proposed Ford partnership is a licensing of the technology developed by CATL, with sourcing and manufacturing to be conducted by Ford.
Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) of the House Energy and Commerce Committee jointly wrote to Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley seeking Ford's immediate cooperation with broad-ranging inquiries, threatening a congressional subpoena. The lawmakers assert that Ford should not build the plant with CATL technology, although they have not identified an alternative.
"CATL’s deep ties to CCP forced labor have no place in the American market and make the company exceptionally unfit to receive American taxpayer dollars,” said Mr. Gallagher in a statement.
"Ford’s ongoing refusal to provide substantive responses addressing the serious issues discussed in the April, July, and September letters undermines Ford’s own commitment to 'act with transparency, integrity, and honesty' and raises serious concerns regarding its licensing agreement with CATL.
"We write again today to seek a fully responsive production on the licensing agreement, Ford’s knowledge of CATL’s apparent attempt to shield its connection to Xinjiang-based companies, and Ford’s commitment to advance U.S. battery production.
In April, July, and September, the lawmakers sought information from Ford regarding its licensing agreement with CCP-aligned battery maker CATL, including but not limited to copies of Ford's licensing agreement, Ford's knowledge of CATL's connections to forced labor and connections to Xinjiang-based companies that are banned from exporting product to the U.S., “Ford's intention to import Chinese employees to take well-paying U.S. jobs,” and "Ford's discussions with the Biden administration regarding its CATL partnership and EV tax credits."
Click HERE to view a copy of the letter.
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