Monroe Review

The Michigan Legislature’s Working Group for National Security has raised concerns over the partnership between Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) and Ford in building the EV battery plant in Marshall, urging a reevaluation in light of federal investigations and congressional hearings. The project has received more than $1.7 billion in state incentives.

Representative Will Bruck (R-Erie), co-chair of the Working Group for National Security, emphasized the need to consider the risks associated with partnering with CATL, stating, “Michigan cannot afford to overlook the risks associated with partnering with CATL on the Marshall battery plant.” Meanwhile, Representative Luke Meerman (R-Coopersville) highlighted the importance of aligning economic development efforts with national security interests, stating, “We have a duty to prioritize the well-being and security of our state and the people we represent.”

The founder and CEO of CATL, Robin Zeng, has been linked to the Chinese Communist Party, raising concerns about the company's affiliations and operations. Recent reports indicate that CATL has restructured to avoid a "foreign entities of concern" designation, prompting Representative David Martin (R-Davison) to call for a reevaluation of the significant state incentives awarded to the project.

Senator Marco Rubio's letter urging the Department of Defense to reverse its decision on installing CATL batteries at Camp Lejeune, followed by the disconnection of all CATL batteries from the Marine Corps base, further underlines the seriousness of the concerns raised by the Working Group for National Security.

Representative Jaime Greene (R-Richmond) emphasized the need to prioritize national security and ethical considerations, stating, “We cannot afford to compromise our national security or turn a blind eye to human rights violations.”

Senator Jonathan Lindsey (R-Allen) commended the focus on national security by the working group and criticized Democrat officials for not taking the topic seriously, stating, “Our working group will never ignore these tough topics, including the very real national security concerns surrounding Chinese Communist Party linked battery plants.”

The Working Group for National Security is calling for a thorough review of the Ford-CATL project, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing state interests, national security, and ethical considerations in all economic ventures.