WASHINGTON, D.C. — In two letters to the Department of Homeland Security, Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) has presented new evidence implicating major Chinese battery manufacturers Gotion and CATL in state-sponsored slave labor and the ongoing Uyghur genocide. Despite these ties, both companies have expanded their operations in the United States.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), House Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-TN), Homeland Security and Government Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), and Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) have joined the effort.
Products made with Uyghur forced labor are prohibited from entering the United States under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List, which blacklists companies engaged in such practices.
Chairman Moolenaar stated, “The Select Committee has uncovered indisputable evidence that Gotion High Tech and CATL have supply chains that are deeply connected to forced labor and the ongoing genocide of Uyghurs in China. That is why the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force must immediately add Gotion High Tech and CATL to the UFLPA Entity List and block the shipments of these companies from entering the United States. The American people expect companies in the U.S. to avoid all involvement with the Chinese Communist Party’s campaign of genocide.”
To protect American taxpayers and US companies from being associated with human rights abuses, Chairman Moolenaar demanded that DHS blacklist Gotion and CATL immediately. The lawmakers provided evidence documenting ties between these companies, Chinese paramilitary organizations, slave labor, and the Uyghur genocide.
Examples include:
CATL:
- Sources lithium-ion anode materials from a company controlled by Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), a sanctioned Chinese paramilitary organization.
- Sources electrolytic nickel from a subsidiary of Xinjiang Nonferrous, known for its use of forced labor.
- One key supplier is partly owned by Yibin Tianyuan Group Co. Ltd., partnered with XPCC.
- Previously held a stake in Xinjiang Zchiun Lithium Industry Co. Ltd., involved in forced labor transfer programs.
GOTION:
- Sources aluminum foil from a subsidiary of Xinjiang Nonferrous.
- Sources material from Xinjiang Joinworld, involved in 'poverty alleviation through labor transfer' programs often disguising forced labor.
- Sources lithium-ion materials from companies connected to XPCC.
The lawmakers requested an immediate briefing if DHS decides not to place CATL and Gotion on the blacklist.
Read the letter on CATL [HERE].
Read the letter on Gotion [HERE].
