Transportation Secretary warns Ford of national security risks from China ties
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Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley urging the automaker to reduce reliance on Chinese technology and manufacturing, citing security and job concerns.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote to Ford Motor Co. chief executive Jim Farley, saying the automaker’s expanding partnerships with Chinese firms could jeopardize U.S. national security and American jobs. The letter, obtained by a business news outlet, listed several areas of concern, including Ford’s use of battery technology licensed from China’s CATL at its Michigan plant, a joint venture with Geely in Spain, talks with BYD about hybrid components, and delayed plans to shift Lincoln production back to the United States.
"When a company intentionally chooses to deepen operational dependencies on strategic competitors, it fails to act as the reliable partner the American public and this DOT require," Duffy wrote.
The secretary warned that Chinese law may compel companies to share proprietary data with the Chinese government and that reliance on Chinese supply chains could undermine domestic manufacturing. He urged Ford to pursue “technological self-reliance” and to out-innovate competitors.
The notice arrives amid bipartisan congressional efforts to restrict Chinese involvement in the U.S. auto market, including a Senate committee proposal to ban imports, sales and operation of vehicles from firms designated as foreign entities of concern. An industry coalition has also called for a permanent ban on Chinese-made vehicles in the United States. Ford did not immediately respond to requests for comment.