US Republicans escalate criticism of Ford's China business links

Republican lawmakers in the US Congress have added their voices to criticism of Ford Motor Company over its business relationships with Chinese firms, following sharp remarks from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Senator Rick Scott publicly praised Secretary Duffy for what he described as sounding the alarm over Ford's ties to companies linked to the Chinese Communist Party. The senator's comments signal growing bipartisan concern within the Republican party regarding the automaker's commercial engagements in China.

The House Select Committee on China also weighed in, sharing on social media platform X a compilation of Ford's statements alongside media reports about its business dealings with Chinese entities. The post was headlined to highlight a perceived discrepancy between Ford's public position and its actual business practices.

Ford, the second-largest US automaker by sales volume, has not yet issued a public response to the latest round of congressional criticism. The developments come amid heightened scrutiny in Washington of corporate supply chains and investments involving Chinese state-linked enterprises.