How Washington's tag on China's CATL could affect Tesla
Washington's addition of CATL
to a list of firms it says work with China's military could put Tesla founder
Elon Musk in a tight spot, challenging how he balances his role in the Trump administration with his ties to China.
CATL, the world's largest battery maker, is a major supplier of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to Tesla for
its Shanghai factory, the U.S. automaker's largest. Tesla has been exporting these cars equipped with CATL batteries to other markets such as Europe and Canada.
Tesla and CATL are working on an agreement to license CATL technology for battery production in Nevada.
A person familiar with the matter said that the deal is expected to launch in 2025.
CATL is also set to supply battery cells and packs to Tesla's Shanghai plant for Megapack, its energy storage product, people familiar with the matter said.
The two are also in talks over how CATL can increase its supplies as the Megapack business grows.
CATL's deal with Tesla is modeled after an existing CATL partnership with Ford Motor which plans to start producing low-cost lithium-iron batteries by 2026 using technology licensed from CATL at a plant in Michigan.
Goldstein said he would not be surprised if Musk's favorable relationship with incoming President
Donald Trump might allow Tesla some kind of waiver from potential future restrictions.
Musk, the world's richest person, has been tapped by Trump t
o co-lead , an entity Trump indicated will operate outside the confines of government.
In November, Robin Zeng, chair of CATL, told Reuters that the company
would consider building a U.S. plant if Trump opens the door to Chinese investment in the electric vehicle supply chain.