A coalition of 17 retired military officials — including multiple one-, two-, and three-star officers — are raising the alarm on President Biden’s aggressive electric vehicle (EV) push over its national security implications.
In a letter addressed to Biden and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan, the officials led by retired U.S. Army Major General James Marks warned that the president’s plans for mass EV proliferation will increase reliance on Chinese supply chains.
They wrote that regulatory initiatives aimed at incentivizing EV adoption “intensify America’s vulnerability to political interference by the Chinese Communist Party.”
“There is no doubt EVs will play a significant role in diversifying America’s transportation systems. Yet we believe your plans will rush our transition to EVs before the infrastructure necessary to support it is in place,” the officials wrote.
“This trajectory will only position the U.S. to become more reliant on China for critical minerals and manufacturing that are necessary for the rapid expansion of EV markets this administration envisions.”
“And even more concerning is the fact that this reliance hinges upon China’s goodwill to export those minerals and manufactured goods to the U.S.,” the letter continued.
“This will undoubtedly open the U.S. up to economic manipulations by China, identical to what Russia is doing with Ukrainian grain exports, and a major threat to our national security. We do not believe now is the time for us to make ourselves vulnerable to such easy political pressures.”
The officials took particular issue with the EPA’s April 2023 proposal to implement the most aggressive tailpipe emissions ever crafted.
If finalized and implemented, a staggering 67% of new sedan, crossover, SUV and light truck; up to 50% of bus and garbage truck; 35% of short-haul freight tractor; and 25% of long-haul freight tractor purchases could be electric by 2032, the EPA projected.
The White House said at the time that increasing emissions standards for gas-powered cars would indirectly incentivize the adoption of zero-emission vehicles and provide a “clear pathway for a continued rise in EV sales.” Biden previously set a goal of ensuring 50% of car purchases are electric by 2030.
Marks and the 16 other retired military officials noted that EVs are largely dependent on components made in China and raw materials processed in China.
“At a nearly tenfold increase over current electric vehicle sales, this proposed rule is a clear example of tone-deaf policymaking that favors the geopolitical advantages currently held by China in this market,” they continued in their letter.
“We would be exposing our economy and national security interests if we consciously link America’s economic and transportation stability to the enterprise of a country you yourself described as an economic ‘ticking time bomb,’” they said.
. . . . In addition to Marks, retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Robert Harward, retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General Mastin Robeson, retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral James Carey, retired U.S. Air Force Major General Bentley Rayburn and retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General E.G. Shuler also signed onto the letter along with retired colonels, captains, commanders and majors. . . . .(read more on Fox News)
Read Letter (pdf)
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