A congressional Republican eyeing new tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicle components is calling for a federal investigation into the products’ national security implications.
Indiana Rep. Jim Banks, a member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, is requesting that the Commerce Department launch a probe into the security risks that may come from the United States’ growing reliance on Chinese batteries and EVs.
In a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo last week, Banks pointed to the massive investments that China is making in EV technology production, allowing it to sell EVs and batteries globally at prices that U.S. manufacturers cannot compete with.
The letter came amid broader concern on Capitol Hill about China’s dominance in clean energy manufacturing and as Republicans ramp up their accusations that the Biden administration’s pro-EV policies could hurt American automakers and consumers.
