Opponents of Michigan EV battery plant hone in on Chinese firm’s Communist Party cell

The project by Gotion High-tech’s US unit has support of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, but faces local security concerns

‘The CCP could weaponise this battery plant to harm our country and Michigan by direct extension,’ one state senator says

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An electric vehicle battery factory in Nanjing, China. A proposal by Gotion High-tech to build a similar plant in rural Michigan has met with opposition from locals and politicians who say they fear CCP influence. Photo: AFP via Getty Images/TNS

Published: 4:50am, 13 Apr 2023Updated: 5:24am, 13 Apr 2023

Opponents of a proposed US$2.3 billion plant in rural Michigan by a Chinese maker of electric vehicle battery components are focusing on a Communist Party cell within the parent company in China – proof, they say, of its allegiance to the CCP.

The project by Gotion Inc, the US subsidiary of Gotion High-tech of China, earned unanimous approval from the Green Charter Township Supervisor Jim Chapman and his board of trustees in December.

But even as the project’s supporters, including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, have promoted its promise of new jobs and new technology – especially attractive in a state reliant on the automotive industry – Gotion has become the target of public and political ire over its links to China and the Chinese Communist Party.

Gotion’s US subsidiary is registered in California, but Michigan Republicans say that business regulations guiding its parent company’s operations in China are proof of CCP infiltration.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer strongly supports bringing EV battery plants to her state, but the Gotion proposal has met with growing resistance. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

On Wednesday, before a state senate appropriations vote on grants to EV battery projects, Senator Lana Theis posted a screenshot of a clause from Gotion High-tech’s articles of association.

The corporate by-law requires the company to “set up a Party organisation and carry out Party activities in accordance with the Constitution of the Communist Party of China”.