Is “Made in America” Truly American When GE Appliances Are Chinese-Owned?

General Electric (GE) has long been a household name in American innovation, once symbolizing industrial strength and domestic reliability. In recent years, however, major shifts in corporate ownership have redefined what the GE brand represents, raising important questions about what “Made in America” really stands for in 2025.

What many don’t know is that GE has many subsidiaries, and a lesser known fact is that it was recently split into three independent companies: GE Aerospace, GE Vernova, and GE Healthcare.

Former subsidiaries of GE include GE Plastics, GE Transportation, and GE Appliances, and although they carry the ‘General Electric’ name, they have zero affiliation with the American multinational conglomerate.

Made In America, Funding the CCP?

Important to note: GE Appliances is no longer a ‘General Electric’ subsidiary as it was sold to a Chinese company called Haier Smart Home (HSH) in 2016, and as such, thus, it was removed from the General Electric Umbrella.

Haier Smart Home is a subsidiary of Haier Group Corporation — a Chinese multinational consumer electronics and home appliance company, and is currently the largest shareholder of the Haier Smart Home at 31%.

Interesting fact, HSH’s founder and former CEO, Zhang Ruimin, is part of the Communist Party of China (CCP). Meanwhile, the current CEO of Haier Group, Zhou Yunjie, is a deputy of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC). As we have a bicameral legislature in the United States (Congress: House and Representatives and Senate), China has a unicameral legislature, with the NPC responsible for enacting laws and overseeing the government.

However, as the ruling party, the CCP has significant influence over state structure and the NCP.

All that being said, although the Haier Group operates “independently,” it ultimately is significantly influenced by the Chinese government given the current and former CEO’s positions in politics.

What does this mean for America?

The United States is the largest consumer of GE-branded appliances, and according to the GE Appliances Pressroom, “GE appliances are in 50 percent of all U.S. homes.”

Although the company doesn’t have a plan to onboard Chinese foreign workers, under the Kentucky Job Retention Act, GE Appliances (Haier Smart Home) is receiving $113.5 million in cash incentives as well as $4 million in cash incentives from the city of Louisville.

And whilst many GE appliances are already assembled in America, due to the increased tariff rate on steel and aluminum being raised to 50%, the cost to import and assemble is greater than the cost to manufacture.

This not only shows the importance of a dominating, but actively monitoring, trade policy and adjusting accordingly just as the United States continues to do under the Trump administration.

In the end, GE Appliances is owned by a Chinese company who will continue to receive profits from their largest consumer market — Americans.

If you take anything from this, understand that just because something is manufactured and “Made in America” does not mean it is owned by Americans.

Every dollar spent is a vote towards the culture we desire, so spend wisely.

Thank you for your support.

If you appreciate the work we do to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, please consider giving a gift to help us continue this work. Maranatha!