United States harshly criticizes Ford’s deals with Chinese firms

The Trump administration sharply criticized Ford Motor’s commercial partnerships with Chinese companies on Tuesday, alleging that they pose serious national security concerns.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed “deep concern” in a letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley regarding dealings with Chinese battery maker CATL and Chinese automakers Geely and BYD.

Ford did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Duffy said the administration was “deeply alarmed” by Ford’s reliance on technology licensed from Chinese battery maker CATL at its plant in Marshall, Michigan.

He also stated that Ford’s joint venture with Geely in Spain “helps strategic adversaries secure a vital foothold in Western markets,” and that the company’s ongoing talks with BYD regarding hybrid vehicle components “could lead to greater integration of subsidized foreign technology into Ford’s core supply chains.”

Duffy added that Ford’s decision not to move production of the Lincoln Nautilus from China to the United States until 2030 “leaves an unacceptable period of reliance on Chinese manufacturing for several years.”