Ford Pauses $3.5B Michigan EV Battery Plant Amid UAW Opposition and China Tech Ties

Ford is pausing construction on a planned $3.5 billion electric vehicle battery plant in Michigan that would have used Chinese battery technology.

The pause comes amid UAW strikes against Ford and other automakers over the transition to EVs. The UAW blasted Ford's move as a "threat to cut jobs".

The planned plant had drawn criticism from Republicans over its ties to a major Chinese battery maker, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co.

Ford says the pause is to reevaluate the plant's competitiveness, but does not cite a specific reason. The company says no final decision has been made.

Michigan's Democratic governor supports the project, which would bring thousands of jobs. But the state's Republicans have opposed Ford's China ties and federal subsidies.