US Transportation Secretary Warns Ford Over China Partnerships, Citing 'Adversary Tech' Reliance

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has sent a warning letter to Ford Motor Co. over its deepening partnerships with Chinese companies.

According to outlets like The Wall Street Journal on the 8th (local time), Secretary Duffy criticized in his letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley that the cooperation with Chinese firms amounts to "relying on the technology of a foreign adversary."

He particularly took issue with several moves: Ford's licensing agreement with China's CATL to produce electric vehicle batteries in Michigan, plans to manufacture vehicles for Europe from China's Geely at a Ford plant in Spain, and a joint venture between the two companies to develop SUVs for overseas sales.

Secretary Duffy also called it "unacceptable" that Ford produces some Lincoln vehicles for the U.S. domestic market in China, stating that "trying to navigate the current situation in a way that enriches competitors is not a sustainable strategy for America."

Addressing Ford's stance to bring the production of those models back to the U.S. by 2030, he pointed out that it represents "years of relying on Chinese manufacturing while stripping skilled American workers of critical manufacturing jobs."

In response to the letter, Ford pushed back, calling it "a misplaced attempt to grab media headlines."

The Wall Street Journal noted that it is highly unusual for a cabinet-level secretary to publicly criticize a specific company's business activities, as well as for a company to push back so strongly.

Ford clarified that its agreement with CATL is limited to a technology license, emphasizing that the plant is wholly owned by Ford and employs Ford-managed workers, and noting that "the White House has also praised this project."

"We produce more vehicles in America, employ more hourly manufacturing workers, and export more vehicles from the U.S. than any other automaker," Ford added.

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.