The Trump administration slams Ford for its ties to China

Key Points:

• The Trump administration expressed "profound concern" to Ford regarding its ties to Chinese technology firms, particularly its relationship with battery manufacturer CATL and alleged efforts to facilitate Chinese joint ventures in the U.S.
• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy accused Ford of intertwining its future with Chinese state-backed enterprises and criticized the company's reliance on licensed technology from CATL at its Michigan battery facility.
• Ford responded by denying the allegations, stating the CATL agreement is limited to technology licensing, emphasizing that the Michigan plant is fully owned and operated by Ford, and rejecting claims about proposing joint ventures at the Detroit Auto Show.
• The administration also criticized Ford for delaying the relocation of some Lincoln model production from China to the U.S. until 2030, which it said would maintain Ford’s reliance on China.
• This dispute highlights the Trump administration's increasing pressure on American automakers to prioritize domestic manufacturing amid broader trade tensions, despite previous statements welcoming Chinese automakers to produce in the U.S.