Ford CEO Jim Farley and Trump officials have discussed a joint venture program that could see Chinese cars built in US factories.
Chinese cars could be making their way to the United States, despite heavy tariffs on imported models.
While the Trump administration remains opposed to imported Chinese goods, Ford CEO Jim Farley has reportedly met with Trump officials to discuss a joint venture program that could see Chinese cars built in US factories.
News agency Bloomberg reports that Farley met with senior members of the Trump administration to discuss opportunities for Ford to operate a joint venture that would involve Chinese automakers.
Under the US plan, Ford proposed establishing a joint venture that would be majority-controlled by the US automaker.
The move is not dissimilar to China’s policy that allows foreign car brands to produce vehicles in China with a co-investment from a domestic company.
Ford’s proposal would see the joint venture share technology and resulting profits between Ford and its Chinese partner.
Unnamed officials involved in the talks described the discussions as preliminary, with no formal agreement or arrangement agreed upon at this stage.
Along with Ford’s recently announced European partnership with Geely, the brand participates in two joint venture programs for the Chinese market with Changan and JMC.
No partner for a potential American partnership has been named, and suggestions that Xiaomi could be a joint venture partner have been denied by both Ford and Xiaomi.
Farley has previously praised China's strength in electric vehicle engineering, while Ford is in the midst of cutting back its own in-house EV development programs.
Partnership with a Chinese brand could open the door to cheaper electric vehicle platforms for Ford, depending on the eventual outcome of a joint venture plan.
Despite US President Donald Trump’s outspoken views on goods from China, he has also suggested that he would be open to the potential for Chinese companies to manufacture cars within the United States.
Members of Trump’s cabinet remain opposed to giving Chinese carmakers access to the US market, citing privacy and national security concerns, meaning any eventual agreement would need to address those fears before being given the green light.
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
