Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has sharply criticized Ford Motor Company for its ongoing business relationships with Chinese automotive firms, raising concerns about the company’s reliance on technologies linked to what he described as "foreign adversaries." In a letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley made public on Tuesday, Duffy expressed unease over Ford's strategic decisions, highlighting a dependence on Chinese state-backed enterprises that he said undermines American manufacturing and national interests.

Duffy specifically condemned Ford’s practice of producing Lincoln vehicles in China for the U.S. market, calling it “unacceptable.” Although Ford has committed to reshoring Lincoln production to the United States by 2030, Duffy pointed out that the intervening years represent a significant period during which Ford would be reliant on Chinese manufacturing, effectively denying American workers important employment opportunities.

The letter adds to growing bipartisan scrutiny in Congress of Ford’s partnerships with Chinese companies. Duffy highlighted Ford’s licensing agreement with China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) for battery technology at a Michigan facility, as well as Ford’s joint venture with Chinese automaker Geely in Europe. The European collaboration involves Ford’s plant in Spain producing vehicles for Geely and a co-development project on an SUV model intended for markets overseas.

While Ford and much of the U.S. auto industry have expressed concerns about the potential entry of Chinese-made vehicles into the American market, the automaker has simultaneously prepared for such a possibility by maintaining business ties with Chinese firms. Ford supports legislation that would ban Chinese automakers from manufacturing or selling cars in the United States but has continued to engage with Chinese partners to secure supply chains and technology.

In response to Duffy’s letter, Ford called the criticism “a wrongheaded attempt to capture headlines” and defended its commitment to American manufacturing. The company noted it produces more vehicles domestically, employs more hourly manufacturing workers, and exports more vehicles from the U.S. than any other automaker. Ford also said it would have been willing to provide more information about its U.S. commitments had the Transportation Secretary sought dialogue before issuing his public letter. Ford further pointed out that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had praised the decision to move Lincoln production back to the U.S.

Duffy’s letter also touched on discussions, reportedly initiated by Ford at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, aimed at creating joint ventures in the United States with Chinese carmakers—a claim that Ford denied. Reports of talks between Ford and Geely about extending their European partnership to the U.S. were similarly denied by the company. Additionally, Ford reportedly engaged with Chinese battery maker BYD regarding supplies for future hybrid vehicles.

The Transportation Secretary warned that deepening operational dependencies on strategic competitors such as China jeopardizes Ford’s role as a reliable partner for the American public and the Department of Transportation. He urged the company to reconsider its approach, stating that strategies enriching these competitors are unsustainable for the United States.