Sen. Rubio urges Biden Admin to remove China’s influence operations following Ford’s suspension of collaboration with Chinese EV battery manufacturer.
Senator Rubio Urges Biden Administration to Expel Chinese Communist Influence Operations
Following Ford Motor Co.’s decision to pause its $3.5 billion project with a Chinese electric vehicle battery maker, Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is calling on the Biden administration to take further action against Chinese communist influence operations. Rubio believes that Chinese companies are being used as tools by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to exert influence.
Ford recently announced the halting of its EV battery plant project with China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL). The decision was made to ensure the plant’s competitive operation. CATL, a leader in the EV battery industry, has received substantial subsidies from the CCP. The plant in Marshall, Michigan, was set to be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford, with CATL providing battery technology, equipment, and workers.
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In a statement emailed to The Epoch Times, Senator Rubio emphasized that companies like CATL and Gotion High-Tech Co. should not be allowed to operate in the U.S. or benefit from American taxpayer subsidies. He called them tools of the CCP and urged the Biden administration to expel these influence operations from American soil.
Senator Rubio has been cautious about the Ford-CATL deal from the beginning. In February, he wrote a letter to the secretaries of Treasury, Energy, and Transportation, requesting a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to assess national security risks.
Given the CCP’s heavy subsidies and strategic importance of the EV battery sector, Senator Rubio referred to CATL as a “PRC national champion.” In March, he introduced a bill to block Chinese companies’ access to EV-related tax credits. Since then, many Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about the deal and its potential national security risks.
Representative Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), chairman of the House Select Committee on the CCP, has also been actively involved in reviewing the Ford-CATL agreement. He led a bipartisan delegation to Detroit to discuss how Congress could support Ford’s global competitiveness without relying heavily on Chinese supply chains.
In a joint letter with Representative Jason Smith (R-Mo.), Chairman Gallagher expressed concerns about China’s dominance in EV battery technology and the use of U.S. taxpayers’ money. They also raised questions about forced labor and potential violations of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.
At a committee hearing, Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), the ranking Democrat on the House China panel, highlighted the concept of the CCP’s military-civil fusion and emphasized the need to address China’s influence in foundational technologies.
In his statement to The Epoch Times, Chairman Gallagher commended Ford’s decision to reevaluate its deal with CATL but called for the cancellation of the deal altogether.
How does the Chinese government’s influence over domestic companies pose a threat to other countries’ interests and security?
Lowed to operate freely in the United States due to their close ties to the Chinese government. He stated, “Their presence in the United States is a direct threat to our national security and economic competitiveness.” Rubio further expressed concerns about the potential for these companies to engage in espionage activities and steal intellectual property.
Rubio’s call for action comes amid rising tensions between the United States and China. The Biden administration has been vocal about its commitment to confronting the Chinese government’s aggressive behavior, particularly in the areas of economic competition and national security. Rubio believes that expelling Chinese companies involved in electric vehicle battery production is a necessary step in countering the expansive influence of the CCP.
The halt of Ford’s project with CATL is a significant move that reflects growing apprehension over China’s economic influence. According to reports, CATL has received generous subsidies from the CCP, which have helped it become a leading player in the EV battery industry. By partnering with CATL, Ford was essentially relying on a company that could be influenced and controlled by the Chinese government.
Rubio’s concerns are not unwarranted. The Chinese government’s influence over its domestic companies is well-documented, as it exercises strict control over various aspects of their operations. Through this control, the CCP can advance its own agenda, potentially compromising the interests and security of other countries.
Expelling Chinese companies involved in critical sectors such as electric vehicle battery production would demonstrate a strong stance against Chinese communist influence operations. Rubio’s call to action aligns with the broader goal of promoting a more secure and self-reliant United States.
While some may argue that blocking Chinese companies from operating in the United States goes against the principles of free trade, Rubio contends that national security concerns should take precedence. He emphasizes the need to protect sensitive technology and prevent the loss of critical intellectual property to foreign entities.
Rubio’s message to the Biden administration is clear: it is crucial to act decisively in countering Chinese communist influence. By scrutinizing the involvement of Chinese companies in critical sectors and taking measures to ensure the security of American technology and intellectual property, the United States can protect its national interests from the aggressive influence of the CCP.
In conclusion, Senator Rubio’s urging of the Biden administration to expel Chinese communist influence operations reflects growing concerns over China’s economic influence and national security threats. The halt of Ford’s project with CATL underscores the need to reassess partnerships with Chinese companies closely tied to the Chinese government. By taking decisive action to counter Chinese communist influence, the United States can safeguard its national security and economic competitiveness.
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