Duval Times

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, along with several colleagues, has raised concerns about the national security risks posed by batteries manufactured by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), a company funded and supported by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In a letter addressed to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Rubio and his colleagues demanded an immediate reversal of the decision to install CATL batteries at Camp Lejeune, a U.S. military base in North Carolina.

The letter highlights the close connection between CATL and the highest levels of the CCP, including General Secretary Xi Jinping, who praised the company's growth earlier this year. Rubio emphasizes that the presence of CATL's batteries on a U.S. military installation is inexcusable, given the CCP's pattern of espionage and the potential threat it poses to national security.

Rubio was joined by several senators, including Thom Tillis, Bill Hagerty, Mike Braun, and Tom Cotton, as well as representatives Mike Gallagher, Elise Stefanik, and Carlos Gimenez, among others. This bipartisan effort reflects the growing concern over the presence of Chinese products in U.S. infrastructure, particularly on military bases.

CATL, as the world's largest manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries and a dominant player in the global electric vehicle market, holds significant influence over supply chains globally. The company's close ties to the CCP and its military-civil fusion strategy raise further concerns about its involvement in U.S. military installations.

The letter also draws attention to the similarities between CATL and other Chinese companies that have been deemed serious national security threats and banned from U.S. government use. A report by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) highlights the parallels between CATL and Huawei, both of which were championed by the CCP and pose security risks associated with Chinese technology.

The presence of CATL's batteries on a U.S. military base, such as Camp Lejeune, is particularly alarming given the strategic importance of these installations. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, for example, conducted an exercise at Camp Lejeune shortly after the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) featuring CATL batteries. Units like the 26th MEU play a crucial role in potential conflicts with China, making it imperative to address the national security concerns posed by CATL's presence.

In light of these concerns, Rubio and his colleagues urge the U.S. Department of Defense to reverse the decision to install CATL batteries at Camp Lejeune and conduct a full assessment of CATL systems at other U.S. military bases. The letter also raises several questions regarding the procurement process, vulnerabilities, and potential data connections associated with CATL systems.

The prompt response and attention to this matter are vital to safeguarding national security and ensuring that U.S. military installations are free from the influence of CCP-affiliated companies. Rubio and his colleagues await Secretary Austin's response and hope for a thorough examination of the risks associated with CATL's presence on U.S. military bases.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.rubio.senate.gov/rubio-colleagues-warn-of-communist-china-linked-batteries-at-u-s-military-bases/