Capitol News

Jaime Greene, a state representative in the Michigan House of Representatives, expressed concerns on MIRS News regarding the economic development site allocated to Ford. She indicated that it may ultimately benefit the Chinese company CATL, raising issues about national security and ethical implications.

"What I'm seeing is you have an economic development site that went to Ford, but it's really going to CATL indirectly," said Greene.

According to CyberMaterial, U.S. lawmakers have intensified their scrutiny of Ford's partnership with Chinese battery maker CATL for a Michigan-based electric vehicle battery plant, citing national security concerns. Senators Marco Rubio and John Moolenaar have urged the Department of Defense to add CATL to a restricted list due to alleged ties to the Chinese military. This reflects bipartisan apprehension about foreign influence in critical infrastructure projects and aligns with a broader legislative trend aimed at reducing reliance on Chinese technology in the U.S. energy sector.

The Korea Economic Daily reported that South Korean battery manufacturers, including LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI, are expanding their presence in the U.S. by establishing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery production lines. These initiatives aim to diversify the U.S. battery supply chain and reduce dependence on Chinese technology, aligning with strategic efforts to bolster domestic manufacturing capabilities. The move also responds to the growing demand for cost-effective electric vehicle batteries in the North American market.

According to Global Fleet, Congressional efforts to limit Chinese involvement in U.S. energy infrastructure have led to the passage of the "Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act." This legislation prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from procuring batteries from Chinese companies, including CATL. It underscores a commitment to securing domestic supply chains and mitigating potential national security risks associated with foreign entities while reflecting a growing consensus on reducing reliance on Chinese technology in critical sectors.

Greene is a Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 65th District since January 2023. A U.S. Navy veteran who served as a cryptologist from 1996 to 1999, she holds a B.A. in Communications from Oakland University and an M.A. in Human Services from Liberty University. Greene serves as the Republican Vice Chair of the House Education Committee and is a member of both the Energy, Communications, and Technology Committee and the Government Operations Committee. She resides in Richmond, Michigan, and has previously served on the Richmond City Council and various local boards.