Ford Motor Company faces U.S. government criticism over Chinese business ties

Ford Motor Company Sean Duffy CATL Geely supply chain security

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has issued a formal rebuke to Ford Motor Company, expressing profound concern over the automaker’s strategic partnerships with Chinese firms. In a letter to CEO Jim Farley, Duffy argued that Ford’s increasing reliance on Chinese technology and manufacturing poses risks to American national security, economic integrity, and supply chain independence.

Specific points of contention include Ford’s use of licensed battery technology from Chinese manufacturer CATL at its BlueOval Battery Park facility in Michigan, and a joint venture with Geely in Almussafes, Spain. Duffy also criticized the decision to delay the reshoring of Lincoln Nautilus production from China to the United States until 2030.

Ford has strongly rejected these claims, calling the letter a “wrongheaded attempt to capture headlines.” The company defended its position by stating it is the most American automaker, noting its high levels of domestic production, employment, and exports. Ford clarified that its arrangement with CATL is a limited technology-licensing agreement rather than a joint venture, and emphasized that it owns and controls its Michigan battery plant, which has created 1,700 jobs.

Entities

CATL · Ford Motor Company · Geely · Jim Farley · Sean Duffy · U.S. Department of Transportation · United States Department of Transportation

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 19 SOURCES] The Department of Transportation questioned Ford's reliance on foreign technologies and its impact on American manufacturing integrity. bitcoinethereumnews.com · www.foxbusiness.com · www.in.gr · www.businessdaily.gr · technews.tw · +12 more
[● 23 SOURCES] Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed profound concern regarding Ford Motor’s strategic ties to Chinese companies. bitcoinethereumnews.com · www.foxbusiness.com · www.scmp.com · www.businessdaily.gr · technews.tw · +16 more
[● 19 SOURCES] Ford described the Transportation Secretary's letter as a wrong-headed attempt to capture headlines. www.scmp.com · keyt.com · kioncentralcoast.com · krdo.com · localnews8.com · +13 more
[● 23 SOURCES] Duffy cited Ford’s licensing agreement with CATL to utilize battery technologies as a point of concern. bitcoinethereumnews.com · www.foxbusiness.com · www.scmp.com · www.businessdaily.gr · technews.tw · +16 more
[● 18 SOURCES] Ford stated it is investing to build batteries in America and maintains control over its domestic plant operations. www.scmp.com · keyt.com · kioncentralcoast.com · krdo.com · localnews8.com · +12 more
[● 14 SOURCES] Duffy criticized Ford's decision to delay moving Lincoln Nautilus production from China to the United States until 2030. www.foxbusiness.com · www.scmp.com · www.businessdaily.gr · technews.tw · insideevs.com · +8 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The BlueOval Battery Park facility in Michigan has created 1,700 jobs. keyt.com · kioncentralcoast.com · krdo.com · localnews8.com · www.autoherald.co.kr
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Chinese Embassy in Washington urged the U.S. to stop politicizing economic and trade issues. sputniknews.cn
[● 6 SOURCES] Duffy stated Ford's strategic decisions paint a 'troubling picture' of an American brand intertwining its future with Chinese state-backed enterprises. www.autoherald.co.kr · www.formosadeportiva.com.ar · americanfaith.com · www.in.gr · bitcoinethereumnews.com · +1 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The White House issued a statement supporting Ford, calling it a great American company that has increased domestic investment. www.businesstimes.com.sg · www.sondakika.com · paultan.org
[● 3 SOURCES] The Almussafes plant in Spain plans to produce five models starting in 2028. actualidadvalencia.com · elperiodicousa.com · www.telesurenglish.net
[● 2 SOURCES] The US Department of Transportation expressed alarm over Ford's use of technology from CATL at its Michigan plant. www.businesstimes.com.sg · paultan.org