The US government has criticized Ford Motor Company over its business partnerships with Chinese firms, according to reports from Spiegel and other outlets. Officials have specifically called out the automaker’s connections to battery maker CATL, as well as automakers Geely and BYD, as sources of concern. The criticism was directed at Ford CEO Jim Farley, with the administration urging the company to lessen its reliance on Chinese partners.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has reportedly asked Ford to reduce its dependence on China, according to IndexBox. The requests come as part of a broader push by the Trump administration to limit US corporate engagement with Chinese technology and manufacturing. Spiegel reports that the government’s stance reflects ongoing tensions over supply chains and national security in the auto sector.
Ford’s ties to China include a well-known arrangement with CATL to build an electric vehicle battery plant in Michigan. That deal has drawn scrutiny before, given CATL’s position as a dominant global battery supplier and its links to the Chinese state. The new criticism appears to extend beyond that single project, however, as officials have also flagged Ford’s relationships with Geely and BYD, both of which are major Chinese automotive players.
The exact nature of Ford’s dealings with Geely and BYD has not been detailed in the reports. The government’s message, according to the coverage, is that Ford should move toward greater supply chain independence from China. For now, it remains unclear whether the administration will take formal action or if the criticism will stay at the level of public pressure.
What to watch next is whether Ford responds with concrete steps to alter its Chinese partnerships or if the administration escalates its demands.
