Transportation Secretary Warns Ford: Cut Ties with Communist China to Protect America
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Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley, demanding the automaker reduce its dependence on Chinese technology and manufacturing, citing grave national security and American job threats.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote to Ford Motor Co. chief executive Jim Farley, warning that the automaker’s increasing partnerships with Chinese firms could endanger U.S. national security and cost American jobs. The letter, obtained by a business news outlet, outlined several alarming concerns, 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 Ford’s delayed efforts to bring 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.
Duffy warned that Chinese law could force companies to share proprietary data with the Chinese Communist government, and that relying on Chinese supply chains undermines American manufacturing and security. He urged Ford to pursue “technological self-reliance” and beat foreign competitors, rather than empower adversaries.
This warning comes as Congress unites to push back against Chinese infiltration of the U.S. auto market, including a Senate committee proposal to ban imports, sales, and operation of vehicles from firms identified as foreign entities of concern. An industry coalition is also demanding a permanent ban on Chinese-made vehicles in the United States. Ford did not immediately respond to requests for comment.