Republicans focus on China attacks in Michigan Senate race

In a heated Senate race in Michigan, former President Donald Trump has targeted Democratic nominee Elissa Slotkin, accusing her of being weak on China. This comes in the wake of controversy surrounding a proposed $2.3 billion electric vehicle battery plant by Gotion, a company affiliated with China. Slotkin's campaign has denied any wrongdoing related to a staffer signing a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) concerning the project, which has become a focal point for her opponent, Republican candidate Mike Rogers. Rogers, a former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and a Trump-endorsed candidate, is leveraging the Gotion issue to appeal to voters in a state heavily reliant on the auto industry. He has linked the plant to the Biden administration's electric vehicle (EV) regulations, which are set to phase out gas-powered vehicles. At a recent rally, Rogers emphasized the need to combat what he described as a plan by the Chinese Communist Party and Democrats to undermine American interests. In response to Rogers's claims, Slotkin's campaign has previously stated that the NDA allegations have been debunked, clarifying that the NDA was related to discussions with other companies, not Gotion. Meanwhile, Democrats are attempting to undermine Rogers's credibility as a China hawk by highlighting his past associations with companies like AT&T that have connections to China, a point Rogers counters by referencing his legislative scrutiny of Chinese telecom firms. As the election approaches, the stakes are high, with control of the Senate potentially hinging on this contentious race in Michigan.