Ford’s response to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s criticism of its China ties has highlighted conflicting views within the Trump administration over whether U.S. automakers should collaborate with Chinese companies while reducing dependence on China. Ford said its agreement with Chinese battery maker CATL is limited to technology licensing and services, not a joint venture or foreign-owned operation, and that it owns and operates its Michigan plant with an American workforce. Duffy cited the CATL arrangement, a reported Geely Auto partnership in Spain and plans to delay some Lincoln production reshoring until 2030 as national security concerns. Ford shares fell 3.93% earlier in the week before rising 3.09% to $13.86 Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro data. The White House called Ford a great American company and highlighted its domestic investment, including a $3 billion Marshall battery plant expected to create about 1,700 jobs, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick praised some decisions Duffy criticized. The dispute underscores uncertainty over how far the administration will permit cooperation with Chinese companies as it seeks to rebuild U.S. manufacturing and limit reliance on China.