CATL denies allegations of security risk as US lawmakers seek restrictions
Chinese battery maker CATL is facing scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers over its alleged ties to the Chinese government, with calls to add the company to a restricted list.
US lawmakers have urged the Defence Department to add Chinese battery maker CATL to a restricted list due to its alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party and military. Senator Marco Rubio and Congressman John Moolenaar expressed concerns that CATL’s involvement in US energy infrastructure threatens national security, making the country overly reliant on Chinese technology.
CATL has firmly rejected the allegations, claiming its battery products are passive and do not endanger national security. The company labelled the accusations unfounded and inaccurate, emphasising that the Chinese government did not control them.
The push to restrict CATL comes as Ford Motor and other companies face scrutiny over their partnerships with the Chinese battery giant. Ford is licensing CATL technology for low-cost battery production at a Michigan facility, raising significant concerns among US lawmakers.
The effort to limit China‘s influence in American technology and infrastructure follows a broader move by the US Defence Department to add several Chinese companies to its restricted list. These include companies in industries such as AI and energy, reflecting growing tensions over Chinese involvement in key sectors.
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