Trump administration expresses 'profound concern' over Ford's ties to China

U.S. President Donald Trump and CEO of Ford Jim Farley clap, as President Trump visits a Ford production center, in Dearborn, Michigan, U.S., January 13, 2026. Evelyn Hockstein | ReutersThe Trump administration expressed "profound concern" Tuesday about Ford Motor's ties to Chinese companies that it believes could be detrimental to the Detroit carmaker and U.S. automotive industry.In a letter addressed to Ford CEO Jim Farley, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy questioned the automaker's strategic trajectory with Chinese companies "as it pertains to American national automotive manufacturing integrity, supply chain exposure, and reliance on technologies of foreign adversaries."As examples, Duffy cited Ford's ties to Chinese companies such as battery provider CATL and referenced a framework proposed during an auto show earlier this year in Detroit "to facilitate Chinese joint ventures on United States soil."Ford has a licensing agreement to utilize battery technologies, including the production of lithium iron phosphate batteries, from Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., or CATL.Ford's deal with CATL was originally announced in 2023 but has drawn renewed attention amid tensions bet...