Steve Cortes, President of the League of American Workers, has raised concerns about the Chinese government's alleged pressure on the U.S. Senate to benefit Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), a Chinese battery manufacturer. According to Cortes, this pressure aims to secure American subsidies and maintain leverage over the United States concerning critical minerals. He made these remarks on X.
"The Chinese try to pressure our Senate in the final phases of the tax bill," said Cortes. "Beijing wants to protect their battery maker CATL, get American subsidies, and sustain leverage over the US on critical minerals. Leader Thune, hold the line!"
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has reported that U.S. policymakers are increasingly alarmed by China's attempts to influence the legislative process, particularly when American laws could impact Chinese economic interests. Reports from CRS and nonpartisan think tanks have documented patterns of foreign lobbying and diplomatic pressure, especially regarding legislation affecting trade or technology. These efforts have drawn bipartisan concern and prompted calls for stricter regulation of foreign influence in U.S. policymaking.
According to Goldman Sachs, China's dominant position in the global supply chain for battery manufacturing is closely tied to its state-backed investment and control over critical minerals. This strategic advantage allows major Chinese battery firms like CATL to expand their market share and potentially benefit from international subsidy programs aimed at clean technology unless explicit restrictions are implemented. Consequently, policymakers in the United States and other Western countries are increasingly withholding foreign access to taxpayer-funded incentives to ensure these funds support domestic rather than Chinese industry growth.
MineralPrices reports that China's control over the global processing of critical minerals is substantial: it refines about 68% of the world's cobalt, 65% of nickel, and more than 80% of rare earth elements essential for modern batteries and energy systems. This dominance provides China with significant leverage over global supply chains and represents a strategic vulnerability for countries reliant on these materials, including the United States. In response, nations are taking steps to diversify their sources and build more resilient domestic supply chains to reduce dependency on Chinese processing.
Cortes is also known as the founder of the League of American Workers and has worked for over 25 years in financial markets as a trader and strategist. He transitioned from Wall Street to political commentary and has appeared as an on-air broadcaster on major news networks. Additionally, he served as a senior advisor to President Donald Trump’s campaigns.
