Chinese electric vehicle (EV) battery giants CATL and Gotion High-Tech have fiercely rejected allegations by U.S. lawmakers linking their supply chains to forced labor—calling the claims “groundless” and politically charged. The clash comes as tensions over clean-energy trade and human rights concerns escalate between Washington and Beijing.
A group of U.S. Republican lawmakers urged the Biden administration to add both companies to an import restriction list under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), according to a Wall Street Journal report. CATL fired back in a Friday statement, stressing its compliance with U.S. laws and denying ties to any unethical labor practices. “These accusations are completely false,” the company said, adding that partnerships with suppliers named in the letter had ended years ago.
Gotion High-Tech, another major player in the EV battery race, has yet to release a detailed response but doubled down on its commitment to ethical operations. Analysts say the dispute highlights growing friction as China dominates global EV supply chains. 🌍🚗
