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The heads of three U.S. House committees have called on Ford Motor to submit documents related to its collaboration with CATL, a Chinese battery company, in a letter published by the House Select Committee on the CCP. The lawmakers are seeking information about Ford's knowledge of CATL's connection to Xinjiang-based companies and the company's commitment to advancing U.S. battery production. The lawmakers have expressed concerns that the collaboration could lead to U.S. tax subsidies flowing to China and Ford becoming reliant on Chinese technology.
According to Reuters, the lawmakers are specifically requesting documents such as the Ford/CATL licensing agreement, communications between Ford and the Biden Administration regarding the licensing agreement and potential tax credits, and any records related to CATL's links to Xinjiang-based companies. The lawmakers argue that Ford's refusal to provide substantive responses to their previous letters raises concerns about the company's commitment to transparency and integrity.
In their letter, the lawmakers threatened to bring Ford CEO Jim Farley before Congress if the company does not comply with their document requests. They stated, "If Ford does not comply fully with all of the Committees' document requests by no later than October 6, 2023, we will consider other means to obtain the documents, including compulsory process or insisting that you appear before Congress to publicly explain your failure to comply."
Beijing has consistently denied accusations of human rights abuses, particularly against the Uyghur people in Xinjiang. While Ford has provided information about its domestic battery manufacturing efforts, the company has not confirmed compliance with the lawmakers' document request.
The investigation by Republican lawmakers into Ford's battery plant project has been ongoing for several months. Their concerns center around the possibility of U.S. tax subsidies being directed to China and Ford's reliance on Chinese technology.
Overall, the lawmakers are demanding transparency from Ford and seeking to ensure that the company's collaboration with CATL does not compromise U.S. interests.
