Trump administration slams Ford for China ties

(CNN)– The Trump Administration is expressing concern to carmaker Ford about alleged ties to Chinese technology and manufacturing.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to Ford CEO Jim Farley.

In it, he noted Ford’s continued reliance on licensed technology from Chinese battery manufacturer CATL.

Ford responded calling the arrangement a limited tech-licensing and services agreement, not a joint venture or foreign-owned manufacturing operation.

Ford said it owns the plant, controls the operation, and employs the workforce where the batteries are made.