Lawmakers Question CFIUS for Not Blocking Plant Involving Chinese Battery Supplier

Ten Republican lawmakers asked the Treasury Department Oct. 17 to explain why the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. has apparently declined to review and block Chinese electric vehicle battery maker Gotion from building a plant near a military base in Michigan.

In a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, the lawmakers said Camp Grayling is the largest National Guard training facility in the U.S. and hosts important military exercises, so it needs to be protected from foreign adversaries. With Gotion having “deep ties” to the Chinese Communist Party, not reviewing the construction project “seems to be a grave lapse in CFIUS’ judgement,” the letter says.

The lawmakers noted that a proposed rule Treasury published in July would add Camp Grayling to CFIUS' jurisdiction (see 2407090003). They called for updating the rule to allow CFIUS to review the Gotion project retroactively. The letter was led by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar, R-Mich. It was co-signed by Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; Mike Braun, R-Ind.; and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; and Reps. Lisa McClain, R-Mich.; Bill Huizenga, R-Mich.; Jack Bergman, R-Mich.; John James, R-Mich.; and Tim Walberg, R-Mich. Treasury had no immediate comment.