US Transportation Secretary Duffy voices concern over Ford’s ties with China
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, in a letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley, expressed deep concern over the automaker’s strategic ties with Chinese companies. President Donald Trump’s administration believes such relationships could harm Ford and the US automotive industry.
Questions about Ford’s strategy
As CNBC Top News reports, Duffy mentioned Chinese battery supplier CATL in the letter. The secretary questioned Ford’s strategic direction in cooperating with Chinese companies, citing the integrity of US national automotive manufacturing, supply-chain risks, and dependence on technologies from foreign adversaries.
The letter states that the department recognizes the intense competitive pressure in the global market. At the same time, Ford’s recent strategic decisions, according to the letter’s author, create an alarming picture of an American brand linking its future to Chinese enterprises that receive state support.
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Licensing agreement with CATL
Ford has a licensing agreement with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., known as CATL, for the use of battery technologies, including for the production of lithium iron phosphate batteries.
Ford’s agreement with CATL was announced in 2023. It has again drawn attention amid strained relations between the United States and China, as well as Ford’s plans to use these technologies in energy storage systems. Ford did not immediately comment on CNBC’s request.
