CATL's Hong Kong IPO Gambit: A $5 Billion Test Amid Geopolitical Crosswinds

The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL) is poised to test investor appetite and geopolitical tensions with its planned $5 billion Hong Kong share sale, set to begin bookbuilding the week of May 12, 2025. The offering, if finalized, would mark the largest in Hong Kong since Kuaishou’s 2021 $6.2 billion IPO and comes as U.S.-China trade frictions reach a boiling point.

The Offering: Scale and Purpose

CATL’s Hong Kong listing aims to raise at least $5 billion, primarily to fund its €7.3 billion ($7.53 billion) battery plant in Hungary. This facility is a linchpin of CATL’s strategy to capture 40% of the global EV battery market by 2030, a goal that hinges on expanding production capacity in Europe to compete with Tesla, Northvolt, and others. The offering’s success will also help offset a 20% decline in CATL’s A-share price over the past year, driven by geopolitical risks and investor skepticism about its exposure to U.S. sanctions.

Geopolitical Headwinds: Sanctions and Supply Chain Risks

The offering faces significant hurdles tied to U.S.-China trade tensions. In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense designated CATL as a company “supporting China’s military modernization” due to its role supplying batteries to Chinese submarines, barring U.S. investors from holding its shares. Compounding these risks, the U.S. House Select Committee on China accused CATL of ties to the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), a U.S.-sanctioned entity linked to forced labor under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). These allegations threaten to deter ESG-focused investors and expose underwriters to reputational and legal risks.

The underwriters—JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, China International Capital Corporation (CICC), and China Securities Financial—now face a precarious balancing act. While the underwriting fees (JPMorgan and Bank of America reported weak Q1 2025 equity underwriting revenues of $324 million and $272 million, respectively) are tempting, the House Committee’s April 17 letters accusing the banks of “due diligence failures” could trigger regulatory scrutiny.

Market Context: Hong Kong’s Resurgent IPO Pipeline

Hong Kong’s IPO market has shown unexpected resilience in 2025, with $2.7 billion raised year-to-date—the strongest start since 2021. The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd (HKEX) reported a 37% surge in Q1 2025 profits, driven by increased listing and trading activity. However, this momentum faces headwinds from U.S. trade policies. The Hang Seng Index fell 4.4% in April 2025 amid fears of U.S. tariffs on solar panels and aluminum, though it remains up 10.14% year-to-date.

Underwriting Risks and Strategic Calculus

The CATL offering has become a litmus test for global finance. If underwriters proceed, they risk backlash from ESG investors and potential penalties under the China Military Companies Sanctions Act, a pending U.S. bill that could penalize firms enabling listed entities linked to Chinese military interests. If they withdraw, CATL’s Hungarian plant—a project requiring $7.5 billion in total funding—could face delays, undermining its market share ambitions.

The stakes extend beyond CATL. A failed offering could deter other Chinese firms from listing in Hong Kong, amplifying fears of U.S. sanctions spillover. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s status as a global fundraising hub hangs in the balance.

Conclusion: A Gamble with Global Implications

CATL’s Hong Kong share sale is a high-stakes bet. With $5 billion at stake, the offering must navigate geopolitical landmines, investor skepticism, and volatile markets. Key data underscores the risks:
- 20% decline in CATL’s A-share price over the past year.
- $3 billion in U.S. detained electronics imports under the UFLPA since 2022.
- 4.4% dip in Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index in April .

If the underwriters proceed, the deal could reignite Hong Kong’s IPO market and validate CATL’s global expansion plans. If they retreat, the repercussions could ripple across global finance, signaling a new era of compliance over profit in an increasingly polarized world. The week of May 12 will reveal whether capital flows can still transcend geopolitics—or if CATL’s gamble becomes another casualty of the U.S.-China rivalry.