Ford China Ties Criticized
Trump Administration Warns Ford Over National Security Risks Involving Chinese Partnerships
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Key Points
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Ford’s CATL licensing agreement covers lithium-iron-phosphate battery technology for both electric vehicles and battery energy-storage systems; the deal was originally announced in 2023 and has drawn renewed attention amid U.S.-China tensions.
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Ford said its Geely joint venture in Spain will produce a new multienergy crossover for Ford, a new Bronco-family vehicle and two all-electric Geely SUVs. The vehicles are intended for European sale, with no plans to bring them to the United States.
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Duffy also criticized Ford’s delayed plans to bring production of Lincoln models such as the Nautilus back to the United States, saying the shift could be postponed until 2030.
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The administration’s concerns include the possibility that Chinese law could require companies to provide government access to proprietary and customer data, creating potential national-security risks.
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Duffy characterized Ford as a “foundational American brand actively intertwining its future with Chinese state-backed enterprises,” making the letter one of the Trump administration’s strongest public rebukes of a major U.S. automaker over China-related business ties.
The Trump administration has put Ford on notice, warning the automaker that its ties to Chinese companies threaten U.S. national security and manufacturing jobs. In a letter to CEO Jim Farley, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized Ford's licensed battery technology from Chinese firm CATL, its joint venture with Geely in Spain, and reported talks with BYD — calling the company a "foundational American brand actively intertwining its future with Chinese state-backed enterprises." America's Voice
Duffy's rebuke is one of the Trump administration's harshest public attacks on a major U.S. automaker over China business ties. The administration argues that Chinese law could force companies to hand over proprietary or customer data to Beijing, creating national-security vulnerabilities. Ford has not yet publicly responded to the criticism. Bloomberg Government
CATL Battery Deal and Chinese Technology at Michigan Plant
At the center of Duffy's complaint is Ford's licensing agreement with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), China's dominant battery maker. The deal, announced in 2023, grants Ford rights to use CATL's lithium-iron-phosphate battery technology at its Michigan facility. The batteries will power both electric vehicles and energy-storage systems. Index Box The Trump administration sees this reliance as a direct threat to American manufacturing independence and job security in the critical EV battery sector.
Spain Joint Venture Blurs Lines on Foreign Manufacturing
Ford's partnership with China's Geely in Spain complicates the picture further. The joint venture will manufacture a new multienergy crossover, a new Bronco-family vehicle, and two all-electric Geely SUVs intended for European markets. America's Voice Ford has stated these vehicles will not be sold in the United States. However, Duffy argues the deal still represents deeper entanglement with Chinese state-backed enterprises and undermines Ford's commitment to American production.
Delayed Lincoln Production Return Raises Administration Concerns
Duffy also targeted Ford's timeline for bringing Lincoln model production back to the U.S. The automaker had planned to move manufacturing of models like the Nautilus from China to America, but the company has pushed that shift to 2030 or later. Archynetys The Transportation Secretary suggested this delay signals Ford's unwillingness to prioritize American manufacturing and workers over Chinese operations.
Chinese Law and Data Security as National-Security Risk
Beyond manufacturing concerns, the administration warns of a deeper vulnerability. Chinese law can compel companies operating in China to grant government access to proprietary technology, trade secrets, and customer data. Bloomberg Government If Ford shares sensitive information with Chinese partners, Beijing could potentially gain access to automotive designs, supply-chain details, and customer databases — creating what Duffy frames as a direct threat to American national security and competitive advantage.
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