The Trump administration recently criticized Ford Motor Company for its business relationships with Chinese firms, citing national security risks.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, in a letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley, expressed “profound concern” over the company’s partnerships with Chinese companies like CATL, Geely, and BYD. He urged Ford to sever ties with these major Chinese entities, particularly highlighting that CATL is associated with the Chinese military and has raised alarms about Ford’s dependency on its technology for operations in the U.S.
Duffy also took issue with Ford’s decision to postpone the production shift of the Lincoln Nautilus from China to the U.S. until 2030, indicating that it continued to tie the company to Chinese manufacturing for several more years.
In response, Ford stated that Duffy’s letter was a misguided attempt at gaining attention, asserting that while other companies import Chinese batteries, Ford is focused on building batteries domestically. The automaker noted that it owns the plant, oversees operations, and employs the local workforce.
US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy looks on as President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office on September 2. Photo: AFP
