Washington, September 8, 2026 — US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter on September 8 to Ford Motor Company Chief Executive Jim Farley, expressing "deep alarm" over Ford's China-linked business dealings, according to Reuters and CNN.
The letter specifically cited licensed CATL battery technology at a Michigan plant, a Geely joint venture in Spain, and reported discussions with BYD on hybrid components. Ford responded that the letter contained "factual errors" and stressed that the company is "the most American automaker," with full control of its Michigan facility.
The exchange comes as the US Congress debates tighter limits on vehicles and connected technology from "foreign entities of concern." Battery localization realities are colliding with geopolitics — Washington is re-labelling "technology licensing" pathways that Detroit has so far treated as industrial pragmatism.
Industry analysts said the warning could push Ford to accelerate its own battery programme or to seek alternative non-Chinese partners, with knock-on effects for the global EV supply chain.
