Republicans in Congress intensified criticism of Ford Motor Co.'s Chinese business relationships after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged the automaker to cut ties with major Chinese companies. Duffy cited Ford's use of CATL-licensed battery technology at its Marshall, Michigan plant, CATL's placement on a Pentagon list of companies accused of links to China's military, and the continued Chinese production of the Lincoln Nautilus through 2030. Ford called Duffy's letter a "wrongheaded attempt to capture headlines," saying it owns and operates the Michigan factory and employs its workforce. The dispute comes as Congress presses for a ban on Chinese vehicles, major automakers urge lawmakers to enact it this year, and President Donald Trump prepares to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month.