The Trump administration on Tuesday warned Ford Motor Company against deepening its reliance on Chinese technology and manufacturing, citing national security risks and calling for greater focus on American production.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote to Ford CEO Jim Farley that the company's strategic decisions paint a troubling picture of a foundational American brand intertwining its future with Chinese state-backed enterprises.

The letter highlighted Ford's use of licensed battery technology from Chinese firm CATL at its BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, Michigan; a partnership with Geely Auto in Spain for low- and zero-emission vehicles; reported talks with BYD on hybrid components; and a delay in reshoring Lincoln Nautilus production from China until 2030.

Duffy’s letter claimed that when an American manufacturer establishes deep roots in other countries, it fails as a reliable partner for the American public and the Department of Transportation.

He emphasized the need for iconic American companies to chart paths to technological self-reliance, urging Ford to “reflect on these concerns and national necessities and adopt reasonable strategies that prioritize American workers, utilize allied supply chains, and promote the self-reliance and integrity of the domestic automotive industry.”

Ford responded by defending its record, noting that its Michigan battery facility created 1,700 jobs and accusing the letter of factual errors.

The car manufacturer sharply pushed back against Duffy’s letter, publicly calling it “a wrongheaded attempt to capture headlines at the expense of a company that has done more for American manufacturing than virtually any other in the nation's history," according to CNBC.

The company said it has done more for American manufacturing than virtually any other in the nation's history.

Irritated by the Trump Administration’s warning, Ford urged Duffy to instill better communication, saying an action like this public letter could be avoided if stronger channels were established.

“Ford supports the Trump administration’s vision for advancing American innovation and manufacturing,” the company said. “Had Secretary Duffy reached out before issuing his letter to the press, we would have been happy to share more details about Ford’s U.S. commitment.”

This action fits a broader pattern of the Trump administration pressuring companies to prioritize domestic manufacturing and reduce exposure to China. In early August, the administration imposed a 15% tariff on imported polysilicon and related products to protect U.S. producers in the semiconductor and solar sectors from foreign dominance, particularly China's near monopoly. The move included incentives for domestic production and followed national security investigations, and the tariff is expected to take effect on December 4.

The executive order signed by President Trump said: “The plan of action in ⁠this proclamation will, among other things, help ensure the commercial viability of United States production of polysilicon and its derivatives that is necessary to meet United States economic and national security requirements.”

The administration has also conducted investigations into foreign manufacturing overcapacity in countries including China, targeting excess production that displaces U.S. output. Officials have threatened tariffs on chips made abroad and pushed semiconductor firms to expand U.S. investments, with some companies announcing major domestic factory plans in response.

These efforts reflect the administration's consistent approach of using tariffs, letters, and regulatory scrutiny to safeguard American jobs and supply chain security amid competition from China.