Robin Zeng, founder and chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the world’s leading battery manufacturer, has expressed openness to building a U.S. plant if the political climate under President-elect Donald Trump allows for Chinese investment in the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain.

Barriers to Entry for Chinese Battery Makers

Zeng highlighted that Chinese EV and battery manufacturers, including CATL and BYD, have faced significant trade restrictions in the U.S., including high tariffs, protectionist policies, and national security concerns. The Biden administration’s policies excluded Chinese-made batteries from EV subsidies, while a Republican-backed bill seeks to limit EV incentives for vehicles using Chinese battery technology, even when licensed by American firms like Ford and Tesla.

Despite these challenges, Zeng noted Trump’s potential openness to allowing Chinese automakers to set up U.S.-based manufacturing plants under conditions that benefit American workers. “I do hope that in the future they are open to investments,” Zeng said.

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