WASHINGTON, United States: Ford China ties came under new scrutiny Tuesday after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy raised concerns about the automaker’s partnerships with Chinese companies.
In a letter to Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley, Duffy questioned the company’s relationship with battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., or CATL.
He also cited a framework Farley discussed for potential Chinese joint ventures in the United States. The Trump administration separately said it had “profound concern” about Ford’s ties to Chinese companies.
Duffy said the strategy could affect U.S. automotive manufacturing, supply-chain exposure and reliance on technology linked to foreign competitors.
Ford rejected the criticism, calling the letter a “wrongheaded attempt to capture headlines.” The automaker also said parts of the letter contained factual errors.
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Ford said it produces more vehicles in the United States and employs more U.S. hourly workers than any other automaker. The dispute also centres on Ford’s licensing agreement to use CATL battery technology, including lithium iron phosphate cells.
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Ford announced the arrangement in 2023 alongside plans for a USD 3.5 billion battery plant in Michigan. The company has also explored using the technology in energy-storage systems.
