Trump Admin Pressures Ford to Cut Chinese Ties Over Security Fears

The Trump administration has escalated pressure on Ford Motor Company to sever business relationships with Chinese firms, citing national security concerns. In a letter sent on Tuesday, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged Ford CEO Jim Farley to end partnerships with Chinese battery maker CATL and automakers Geely and BYD. Duffy expressed 'profound concern' and 'deep alarm' over Ford's reliance on licensed technology from CATL at its Marshall, Michigan plant, noting CATL's inclusion on the Pentagon's list of companies with alleged ties to China's military. He also criticized Ford's decision to delay moving production of the Lincoln Nautilus from China to the US until 2030, which would prolong dependence on Chinese manufacturing. Ford responded, calling the letter 'wrong-headed' and an attempt to 'capture headlines.' The company emphasized its investments in domestic battery production, stating that while others import Chinese batteries, Ford is building batteries in America, and that Ford owns the plant, controls operations, and employs the workforce. This confrontation highlights the ongoing tensions between US-China trade policies and the automotive industry's global supply chains.