Trump Administration Pressures Ford Over Chinese Battery Partnership

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has sent a letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley urging the automaker to reconsider its collaboration with a Chinese battery manufacturer. The administration signaled it is ‘deeply alarmed’ by the tie-up, according to a report from InsideEVs. The letter, dispatched on Tuesday, represents the latest friction point between Washington and the auto industry over overseas battery sourcing.

At issue is Ford’s arrangement with a Chinese battery company, which the Transportation Department views as a strategic concern. The exact terms of the partnership were not detailed in the source material. The administration’s pushback adds another layer of uncertainty for Ford as it navigates the transition to electric vehicles while balancing political pressures.

Ford has not publicly responded to the letter, and it remains unclear whether the company will adjust its plans. The episode highlights the broader tension between U.S. automakers seeking cost-effective battery technology and policymakers wary of reliance on Chinese supply chains.