The Trump administration harshly criticizes Ford’s partnerships with Chinese companies

President Donald Trump’s administration sharply criticized Ford’s business partnerships with several Chinese groups on Tuesday, citing serious risks to the national security of the United States. The reaction comes amid mounting pressure from Washington on the American auto industry to reduce its dependence on companies from China.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy conveyed his concerns to Ford CEO Jim Farley in a letter sent Tuesday. The official targeted in particular the automaker’s collaborations with CATL, one of the world’s largest battery manufacturers, as well as its relationships with Chinese automakers Geely and BYD.

Duffy described these partnerships as a “profound concern” in the context of assessing the risks that the Trump administration believes Chinese companies could pose to American national security. The criticism marks an intensification of pressure on Ford and the auto sector as a whole.