Smith, Gallagher Demand Answers on Ford's Chinese Battery Partnership

Press Release

"Ford has argued that the deal will create thousands of American jobs, further Ford's "commitments to sustainability and human rights," and lead to American battery technology advancements. But newly discovered information raises serious questions about each claim. Specifically, information regarding the proposed partnership agreement between Ford and CATL suggests that a significant portion of these well-paying jobs will be given to citizens of the People's Republic of China (PRC)--not Americans.

Additionally, public financial disclosures and PRC media reporting suggest that shortly following the announcement of the partnership between Ford and CATL, CATL took steps to maintain effective control while appearing to divest its ownership stake in companies based in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang) that allegedly are connected to forced labor practices. This raises concerns about the troubling connection between CATL, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and forced labor in Xinjiang. Finally, there are reasons to question whether the structure of Ford's deal will in fact contribute to the promised advancements in domestic battery technology."

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