BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – GOP Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy visited Big Rapids on Wednesday to speak out against the proposed Chinese linked Gotion Electric Vehicle Battery Plant. 

According to the Ohio native, whose wife is from Michigan, the top priority for the next President of the United States is to separate the country from Chinese dependence. 

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“The top objective of the next United States President has to be to declare independence from Communist China, that is the Declaration of Independence of our century,” “that is the Declaration of Independence that Thomas Jefferson would have signed if he were alive today. That is the Declaration of Independence that I will sign as your next President – we cannot depend on our enemy for our modern way of life.” 

One of his greatest criticisms of the modern pro-carbon free movement, one that he called a “Electric Vehicle Subsidy Cult” was that their concerns were less about the environment, and more about money. 

“You want to declare independence from Communist China,” Ramaswamy added, “Declare independence from the climate cult here at home that shackles the United States while letting China roam free.  The climate change agenda is a hoax – I will not apologize for it – because it has nothing to do with the climate and everything to do with global equity.” 

Additionally, Ramaswamy declared that the U.S. needs to get rid of subsidies for EVs. 

“You want to buy an EV, I’m fine with that, we don’t need to use our taxpayer dollars to subsidize it; we’re not just subsidizing EVs at home, we are subsidizing the CCP,” he said. “Because those EVs require batteries made in China.” 

The Mecosta Environment and Security Alliance (MESA) hosted the event at the Majestic Friesians Horse Farm, and shared its dual commitment to the Environment and Security. 

“What we’re trying to do, there is a two faceted part to that committee,” said MESA  President Jason Kruse. “One is to make sure our environment is kept clean and we have the right fit for our community here in Mecosta county and the other part is to make sure that we have the proper people coming into our country.” 

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MESA President Kruse shared with Michigan News Source in an interview after the event about the group’s excitement for Ramaswamy’s speech. 

“I think it’s great that a Presidential candidate would come up and speak to us and help back our cause,” he said in the interview. “But it’s not just our cause, it’s a national security issue.” 

According to Kruse, bringing in the Gotion Plant could result in the company buying up more land and influence. 

“You put a big entity like that in this area,” he said, “That entity will own this area and have a massive influence. So if you have a CCP backed company coming in, then what’s going to end up happening eventually is they’ll own the whole area.” 

MESA recently alerted those working on the Gotion project, and other officials, about the group’s intent to sue the company over violations of the Endangered Species Act. 

“The suit is in accordance with Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act, which allows private citizens to sue anyone that harms, kills, maims, or damages the habit of an endangered species,” MESA said. “The proposed Gotion gigafactory sits on property containing several endangered species such as: Bald Eagle, Karner Blue Butterfly, Rusty Patched Bumblebee.” 

Barton Township Supervisor Kyle Luce was also present for the event and shared some of his reasons for opposing the plant which was primarily concerned about the Chinese Parent Company, but also the environment. 

“I drink water from the aquifer,” Luce said, adding that the water Gotion would draw from also “Runs to Lake Michigan.” 

According to Luce, a fifth generation resident of Barton, he and the township board conducted a poll of the township that resulted in more than 80% of the respondents answering “strongly opposed” to Gotion with three other options including: in support, neutral, and opposed. 

Two of the more than 120 people in attendance for the rally were Bob and Jan Vandernberge, residents of the area for more than a decade, who had security concerns for the plant as well as how the county would fill the vacant jobs. 

“We have jobs unfilled now,” Mrs. Vandenberge said.  Mr. Vandenberge explained that the jobs all sound like engineering and high tech jobs, not for ordinary workers from around the area. 

Several prospective EV related facilities, including Gotion, received a shoutout in Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s ‘What’s Next’ Address at the end of August. 

“These new battery plants will be game changers: supporting thousands of families, uplifting local businesses, and ensuring our cities and towns thrive for decades to come,” Gov. Whitmer said, “They’ll help Michigan go toe to toe with China, bringing critical parts of the auto supply chain home. We must reduce our reliance on Chinese products, which have caused work stoppages, shortages, and car price hikes over the last few years.”

Gotion is expected to be finished with construction in 2031.