Auto PAC Demands V.P. Harris Return Money From Chinese EV Maker
Written By: CarPro | Oct 16, 2024 11:35:19 AM
Driving Force Action, a political action committee (PAC), is demanding that Vice President Kamala Harris return what it calls Chinese-communist linked campaign money reportedly accepted by her campaign.
Driving Force Action (DFA) cites news reports that say the Harris campaign accepted $50,000 in contributions from (Stella) Ke Li, a Chinese national and senior executive at BYD, a Chinese EV company with reportedly close ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Driving Force Action says the Chinese company threatens U.S. national security and American jobs.
Late last week, the DFA called on Harris to return the campaign contributions from Ms. Li, saying: “Actions speak louder than words. The American people need to know if Kamala Harris prioritizes American jobs and national security above her political ambition,” said Scot Crockett, Spokesperson for DFA.
Car Pro Show host Jerry Reynolds weighs in on the topic: "To me, this isn't about political parties, but about BYD and the Chinese trying to buy influence," said Reynolds.
Driving Force Action.org calls itself a "nationwide alliance of gearheads, car enthusiasts, and automotive small businesses who are ready to fight to defend our freedom to drive."
In issuing its demand, the group cites reports in The Washington Free Beacon and The Daily Caller as its sources. The Washington Free Beacon reports:
"Harris’s billion-dollar Clean School Bus program provided funding to Chinese EV manufacturer BYD Company’s subsidiary in the United States, according to federal filings reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon. Months later, the subsidiary’s top executive, a Chinese national, reportedly wired $50,000 dollars in support of what is now Harris’s presidential campaign. "
In its letter to Vice President Harris, DFA says "Ms. Ke Li, who made these contributions, appears to be married to Wang Chuanfu, BYD’s founder and a prominent CCP member."
Back in 2019, The United Steelworkers (USW) also raised its concerns about BYD and its expansion into the U.S. electric bus market. You can read the USW article here.
DFA Letter To V.P. Harris
Dear Vice President Harris:
Driving Force Action is a political action committee (PAC) that advocates for the right of all Americans to choose the vehicle that best suits their needs, including internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, and fights against federal and state policies pushing for electric vehicle (EV) mandates.
We are deeply concerned about the reported $50,000 in political contributions your campaign received from Stella Ke Li, a Chinese national and senior executive at BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle company with close ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and a company identified as a national security threat on par with Huawei.
BYD has been described as a company that benefits from substantial support from the Chinese government through direct subsidies and military-civil fusion initiatives. As detailed in various reports, BYD collaborates with military affiliates on significant projects, including data aggregation from vehicles and technology sharing with state-owned enterprises. Furthermore, Ms. Ke Li, who made these contributions, appears to be married to Wang Chuanfu, BYD’s founder and a prominent CCP member.
The acceptance of political contributions from an executive of a company with such ties to the CCP raises serious ethical and national security concerns, especially in light of your campaign’s previous stance on reducing reliance on foreign adversaries for critical industries like electric vehicles. While you have recently spoken in support of American manufacturing and expressed concern about China’s dominance in the electric vehicle market, accepting contributions from BYD appears inconsistent with these statements.
In light of these concerns, Driving Force Action demands that your campaign return the $50,000 contribution made by Ms. Li and publicly disassociate from any financial ties to BYD. We believe this action is necessary to demonstrate your commitment to protecting American jobs, defending national security, and maintaining transparency in your campaign.
We look forward to your prompt action on this matter and continuing a national dialogue about the role of foreign adversaries in critical American industries.
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