US warns Ford over ties with Chinese firms amid tensions

US officials criticise Ford’s partnerships with Chinese firms CATL, Geely, and BYD over security risks.Published On 8 Sep 20268 Sep 2026The United States Department of Transportation has sent a letter to Ford Motor Company raising concerns about the carmaker’s partnerships with Chinese firms during ongoing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.In the letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that Ford’s partnership with China’s CATL, a battery maker, as well as car companies Geely and BYD, poses national security concerns. The letter was made public on Tuesday but sent late last week.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4China’s EV exports surge 40 percent in Aprillist 2 of 4If USMCA is not renewed, analysts expect uncertainty for businesseslist 3 of 4Can Trump revive America’s auto industry?list 4 of 4With the US and Canada locked in a trade war, fears of a recession lurkend of listDuffy questioned Ford’s partnership with CATL at its Marshall, Michigan, plant, where it produces lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery cells.“The prioritization of imported Chinese technical expertise and operational know-how-even in a scaled-back capacit...