Ford under fire from GOP, Trump administration – Business News
Ford is going through mounting heat from the Trump administration and congressional Republicans over accusations that the Detroit automaker is tying its future too carefully to Chinese corporations — together with by battery technology, manufacturing partnerships and potential provide offers.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has zeroed in on Ford’s reliance on technology licensed from Chinese battery giant CATL at its Michigan battery manufacturing facility, its deliberate three way partnership with Chinese automaker Geely in Spain and reported talks with BYD over batteries for hybrid automobiles.
Duffy additionally accused Ford CEO Jim Farley of pitching administration officers on a framework that would facilitate Chinese automakers setting up US manufacturing by American-controlled joint ventures — an assertion Ford has flatly disputed.
President Donald Trump walks with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Bill Ford, government chairman of Ford, Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, and Corey Williams, Ford River Rouge plant supervisor, during a go to to a Ford manufacturing middle on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Dearborn, Michigan. REUTERS
The criticism escalated Wednesday when Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) praised Duffy for “sounding the alarm about Ford’s risky ties to [Chinese Communist Party] companies,” in response to Reuters.
The House Select Committee on China likewise took intention at Ford, posting company statements alongside stories about its Chinese business relationships under the heading: “This is what Ford says vs. what it does.”
Duffy outlined his considerations in a Tuesday letter to Farley, saying Ford’s choices raised “profound concern” about its manufacturing, provide chain and reliance on technology from China.
At the middle of the battle is Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park Michigan in Marshall, the place Ford manufactures lithium-iron phosphate batteries utilizing technology licensed from CATL.
CATL has been positioned on the Pentagon’s Section 1260H record of corporations accused of ties to China’s navy — including to longstanding scrutiny in Washington of Ford’s association with the battery giant.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has accused Ford of deepening its reliance on Chinese technology and manufacturing companions. REUTERS
Ford insists the construction is being mischaracterized.
“The CATL arrangement is a limited technology-licensing and services agreement, not a joint venture or foreign-owned manufacturing operation,” Ford stated in its response to Duffy.
“Ford owns the plant, controls the operation and employs the workforce.”
While CATL doesn’t own Ford’s Michigan manufacturing facility, the administration’s concern is that Ford stays depending on Chinese mental property and technical know-how even whereas manufacturing batteries on American soil.
Congressional investigators have beforehand sought Ford’s full CATL licensing settlement and questioned whether or not the automaker may keep the plant operating if CATL’s technical assist have been cut off.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) praised Duffy for “sounding the alarm” over Ford’s ties to Chinese corporations. Getty Images
The full settlement has not been made public, leaving unanswered questions on termination rights, technical assist, software program and Ford’s means to operate independently of CATL.
Duffy additionally took intention at Ford’s deliberate manufacturing enterprise with Geely in Valencia, Spain.
Under the introduced deal, Ford would own 66% and Geely 34%, with the businesses planning to fabricate Ford and Geely automobiles on the Spanish plant.
The administration has argued that the association would help a Chinese competitor increase its foothold in Western auto markets. Ford has offered the enterprise as a method to share prices and make higher use of its Valencia operations.
A 3rd flashpoint includes BYD.
Ford and the Chinese automaker have mentioned a potential deal for batteries for Ford hybrid automobiles. No accomplished settlement has been disclosed, nonetheless, and particulars together with potential volumes, pricing and manufacturing areas stay unspecified.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Ford CEO Jim Farley clap during a go to to a Ford manufacturing middle on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in Dearborn, Michigan. REUTERS
Duffy has additionally criticized Ford for persevering with to manufacture the Lincoln Nautilus in China whereas ready till 2030 to increase US Lincoln manufacturing and part out China imports for the American market.
Ford referred to as that criticism “misguided,” saying it has been working with administration officers on bringing manufacturing back to the US and pointing to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s reward for the reshoring resolution.
The automaker saved some of its harshest language for Duffy himself, calling his letter a “wrongheaded attempt to capture headlines” and declaring that the White House had touted the identical Michigan battery investment simply days earlier.
Ford fired back at Duffy, calling his criticism a “wrongheaded attempt to capture headlines” and defending its Chinese business relationships. Getty Images
On Aug. 31, the White House highlighted Ford’s roughly $3 billion investment within the Marshall battery plant and its roughly 1,700 jobs as half of a resurgence in Michigan manufacturing.
Ford additionally instantly denied Duffy’s allegation about Farley advocating a framework to convey Chinese automakers into US manufacturing.
“Ford has not proposed a joint-venture framework as described in the letter,” the company stated.
The Post has sought remark from Ford and Duffy.
