HispanicBusiness

A Chinese-owned, U.S.-based firm has added President Barack Obama's name to its lawsuit against the US government after he blocked a wind farm project on national security grounds, reports said on Wednesday.

Lawyers for the Ralls Corporation said Obama's order to block plans for the wind energy project close to an Oregon naval base had "exceeded its constitutional rights and failed to provide detailed evidence [of national security concerns]," the official Xinhua news agency said.

The lawyers amended a lawsuit against the U.S. government to accuse Obama of acting in "an unlawful and unauthorized manner" and failing to provide "any evidence or reasoned explanation" for his decision, the agency said.

In the first such presidential decision against a foreign company in 22 years, Obama ordered Ralls to divest its interest in four wind farms acquired earlier this year near restricted airspace used by a naval base to test unmanned drones and other equipment.

"There is credible evidence that leads me to believe that Ralls Corporation ... might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States," the White House said in a statement.

Ralls Corp is owned by two executives of the Sany Group, China's largest producer of heavy machinery, which had planned to supply turbines for the wind farms.

Trade relations with China have become a focal point of Obama's re-election campaign against Mitt Romney, who has said he would be more forceful in getting China to adhere to international trade law.

"During this election year when the US economy is mired in tepid growth and a high unemployment rate, both Democrats and Republicans are using China-bashing tactics to woo some blue-collar voters," the agency said.

"The Chinese government has repeatedly urged the United States to abide by its commitment against protectionism and to maintain a free, open and just international trade environment," it said.