Moolenaar: Gotion Filing is Further Example of CCP Lawfare

This week, Gotion, a CCP-affiliated company rejected thoroughly by Michigan residents, submitted its amended filing seeking monetary damages in its lawsuit against Green Charter Township. Congressman John Moolenaar opposed Gotion's project to build a battery component factory due to the company's well documented ties to the Chinese Communist Party and its reliance on forced labor in its supply chain. Moolenaar released the following statement:

"Gotion spent years trying to force itself into Green Charter Township, despite patriotic residents of Mecosta County rejecting it time and time again. Now that the State of Michigan has rightly placed it in default of its obligations to receive state taxpayer support, it has sunk to a new low and is seeking to bankrupt the town. Gotion is no stranger to seeking retribution, in text messages revealed in court documents, a Gotion executive sought personal information about those who opposed the Chinese Communist Party coming to Mecosta County. Gotion's recent filing is only further evidence the CCP and companies beholden to it will abuse our legal system to silence those who oppose their agenda."

Moolenaar is the Chairman of the House Select Committee on China.

In November 2023, voters rejected Gotion's plans to build a battery component factory in Green Charter Township, recalling the last five remaining members of the Board of Trustees who approved the deal. Following the recall, Gotion sued Green charter Township. Court documents revealed a Gotion executive personally sought private information about critics of the project. Last September, the Michigan Strategic Fund notified Gotion it was in default of its obligations, and made no progress on its project in 120 days. In January, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel ordered Gotion to repay the state taxpayer funds given to the company.

Gotion is the "wholly-owned and controlled" subsidiary of its Chinese parent company, Gotion High-Tech, and receives subsidies from the Chinese government. Congressman Moolenaar has worked with community leaders to oppose the Gotion project and fought in Congress to stop it. Last year his NO GOTION policy became law. This policy prohibits taxpayer funding in the so-called "Inflation Reduction Act" from going to CCP-affiliated companies. Members of Gotion's North America leadership attends CCP board meetings. The company also has ties to slave labor in China.

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