Story perspectives

Transportation Secretary Flags Ford’s CATL Ties Amid China Concerns

9/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed “profound concern” about Ford’s ties to Chinese companies.
Duffy’s letter questioned Ford’s manufacturing integrity, supply-chain exposure, and reliance on foreign-adversary technology.
Ford holds a licensing agreement to use CATL’s lithium-iron-phosphate battery technology.
The CATL deal, announced in 2023, faces renewed scrutiny amid U.S.–China tensions and energy-storage plans.
Duffy referenced a Detroit auto-show framework proposed earlier this year to allow Chinese joint ventures on U.S. soil.

1 of 1

Story summary

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed “profound concern” about Ford’s ties to Chinese companies.
Duffy’s letter questioned Ford’s manufacturing integrity, supply-chain exposure, and reliance on foreign-adversary technology.
Ford holds a licensing agreement to use CATL’s lithium-iron-phosphate battery technology.
The CATL deal, announced in 2023, faces renewed scrutiny amid U.S.–China tensions and energy-storage plans.
Duffy referenced a Detroit auto-show framework proposed earlier this year to allow Chinese joint ventures on U.S. soil.