
Chinese Firm Receives US Funds, Contributions To Harris Campaign Right After Raises Eyebrows
Vice President Kamala Harris’ Clean School Bus program is facing criticism after it was revealed that a Chinese electric vehicle company received $395,000 in federal funds, followed by large political donations from the company’s president to the Harris campaign. The funding went to BYD Americas, a subsidiary of Chinese automaker BYD, to supply electric buses to a California school district.
Months after receiving the grant, BYD Americas president Ke Li contributed $50,000 to the Biden-Harris campaign, raising concerns about the relationship between the company’s federal funding and its political support. Li, a Chinese national, is legally allowed to make donations due to her U.S. residency status, but the timing of the contributions has sparked controversy.
Chinese-Owned EV Firm Executive Donated to Biden-Harris Campaign After Receiving Federal Subsidies
BYD Americas, a China-linked electric vehicle company, received $395,000 from the Biden-Harris administration's Clean School Bus program in 2022.— Robert L English (@DrBob_E) October 11, 2024
Republican lawmakers, including Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), have expressed concerns about federal dollars being used to support a company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party. “We need accountability to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly,” Moolenaar said, pointing to the potential national security risks of funding companies connected to foreign governments.
The corruption runs deep.
BYD Americas received $395,000 through the Biden-Harris administration’s Clean School Bus program in October 2022, according to Environmental Protection Agency documents. Ke Li, the president of BYD Americas, then made four large donations to support…
— Russ (@Russ02710550) October 11, 2024
BYD has faced congressional investigations over espionage concerns and its influence in the global electric vehicle market. The company’s rapid expansion has made it a key player in the EV industry, but its ties to China have led some to question whether it should be benefiting from U.S. infrastructure programs.
The Clean School Bus program, created under the 2021 infrastructure bill, aims to reduce emissions by replacing diesel buses with electric alternatives. However, with the recent revelations about BYD, critics are calling for a review of the companies that are benefiting from the program.