CATL Seeks Removal From US List of Chinese Military Firms
Chinese electric vehicle battery producer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) is trying to get itself taken off the Defense Department's Section 1260H list of Chinese military companies, since it believes its listing was a mistake, a company spokesperson said late April 18.
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“CATL has never engaged in any military-related business or activities,” the spokesperson said in an email. “We strongly believe the U.S. Department of Defense’s designation of CATL as a ‘Chinese military company’ is an error. We are in the process of engaging directly with DoD to clarify any misconceptions and correct that error.”
The Pentagon, which added CATL to the 1260H list in January (see 2501060024 and 2501070019), declined to comment on the matter.
The CATL spokesperson also denied allegations by House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar, R-Mich., that the company is helping modernize China’s submarine fleet with lithium-ion batteries and uses the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, or XPCC, a sanctioned paramilitary entity, as a supplier (see 2504180007). Moolenaar made his allegations in April 17 letters urging two U.S. banks to stop participating in CATL’s upcoming initial public offering.
“The allegations contained in the letter issued by Representative Moolenaar are factually incorrect and without merit,” the CATL spokesperson said.