Republicans threaten to subpoena Ford over project involving Chinese company

House Republican leaders are threatening to subpoena Ford Motor Company over what they say is the company's refusal to answer questions or provide requested documents related to its electric vehicle project involving a Chinese company, FOX Business has learned.

Reps. Jason Smith, R-Mo., Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., — the respective chairs of the Ways and Means, Chinese Communist Party, and Energy and Commerce Committees — penned a letter Tuesday to Ford CEO Jim Farley, giving him until early next month to complete their document requests. They said if Ford refuses their requests, it may result in a congressional subpoena or notification to appear before Congress.

"Ford’s ongoing refusal to provide substantive responses addressing the serious issues discussed in the April, July, and September letters undermines Ford’s own commitment to 'act with transparency, integrity, and honesty' and raises serious concerns regarding its licensing agreement with CATL," the GOP lawmakers wrote in the letter obtained by FOX Business. 

"We write again today to seek a fully responsive production on the licensing agreement, Ford’s knowledge of CATL’s apparent attempt to shield its connection to Xinjiang-based companies, and Ford’s commitment to advance U.S. battery production," they continued.

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Earlier this year, Ford announced in a ceremony that it would invest $3.5 billion to build an electric vehicle battery plant in Marshall, Michigan. As part of the announcement, the U.S. automaker said it had reached an agreement with Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), a Ningde, China-based firm, to manufacture battery cells at the plant using services provided by the Chinese company.

While Democrats including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer applauded Ford's announcement, since it was unveiled in February, Republicans and national security experts have criticized the company for teaming up with a Chinese firm with ties to the Chinese Communist Party on such a major investment.

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Although it is not state-owned, Chinese investors tied to the CCP have held financial stakes in CATL, according to a New York Times review. The Chinese government has also taken strategic steps over the last decade to bolster CATL and other electric vehicle industry companies based in China. 

In addition, Zeng Yuqun, who founded CATL in 2012 and remains its top executive, was identified last year as a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee. According to a U.S. government report published in 2018, the CPPCC is a "critical coordinating body" that brings together representatives of Chinese interest groups and is led by the CCP’s Politburo Standing Committee.

In April, Smith led a letter to Ford with concerns about the project. Then, In July, Smith and Gallagher opened a joint investigation into the Ford-CATL factory, expressing concern about how the deal would expose Ford to greater "reliance on Chinese technology, minerals, and employees." They further warned the deal may involve importing Chinese workers and noted potential indirect ties to forced labor in the Xinjiang province of China.

And earlier this month Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans led by McMorris Rodgers similarly sent a letter to Ford over the project and requesting documents.

According to the letter Tuesday, Ford has repeatedly denied the document requests, instead responding with a "narrative letter" that did not answer the Republicans' questions. However, Ford said in a statement that it has answered all questions.

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"We’ve answered multiple Congressional letters correcting misinformation about BlueOval Battery Park Michigan and Ford’s efforts to bring manufacturing home to the U.S.," Ford spokesperson Melissa Miller told FOX Business. "We’ve thoroughly responded to questions and shared detailed information about Ford’s work to strengthen domestic battery manufacturing, creating U.S. jobs and helping America compete and win on the global stage."

On Monday, Ford announced it had paused construction on the Michigan factory, but stopped short of providing a reason. The major U.S. automaker said it had yet to make "any final decision about the planned investment."