New River Valley Times

Gotion Inc., a Fremont, California-based energy company, recent registration as a Chinese foreign principal has fueled Virginia GOP's validation of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's decision to block the company's entry, while underscoring concerns of Chinese Communist Party influence. This development has provided the party opportunity to reiterate their opposition against potential Chinese Communist Party influence and to level accusations at Virginia Democrats for potentially jeopardizing the state's interests. 

"This is the SAME Chinese company that Gov. Youngkin wisely blocked from coming to Virginia. He's been completely vindicated," the Virginia GOP wrote in an Aug. 21 post on X, formerly Twitter. "Never forget that Virginia Democrats were ready to sell out our Commonwealth to communists in Beijing." 

According to Fox News, Gotion is the company behind a controversial Michigan electric vehicle battery plant and also faced opposition from Republicans and Michigan residents due to worries about CCP influence, despite the backing of Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes criticized the GOP's claims as scare tactics aimed at blocking job opportunities. The company's registration as a Chinese foreign principal came to light on April 21, suggesting a potentially deeper connection to its China-based parent company, Hefei Gotion High-Tech Power Energy Co., Ltd. The previously unreported registration raised further questions about the extent of foreign influence within the company.

Last October, Gov. Whitmer announced Gotion's $2.4 billion investment for two large production plants in northern Michigan, intended to solidify the state's position as a "global hub of mobility and electrification." Earlier in June, Fox News Digital revealed that Michigan Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin and a high-level staffer had signed non-disclosure agreements, gaining insights into negotiations over Gotion's planned electric vehicle battery factory in Big Rapids. Despite months of national security scrutiny, the Biden administration approved the project, leading to concerns about its proximity to U.S. military installations, including being situated within 60 miles of military armories and 100 miles from Camp Grayling, the largest U.S. National Guard training facility.

A Feb. 2023 Reuters report highlighted that Gov. Youngkin faced criticism for withdrawing from a competition to attract a planned Ford battery plant due to concerns about its connection to CATL, a Chinese company. Youngkin's spokesperson had indicated that the proposal might be a cover for the Chinese Communist Party. This echoed his cautious approach towards foreign influences, similar to his stance on the Gotion Inc. controversy. Gov. Whitmer characterized Youngkin's decision as politically motivated.