Ford kicked a hornet’s nest with its big investment in domestic battery production that uses tech and services from Chinese heavyweight CATL, Ben writes.

Driving the news: Axios Pro Energy Policy (sign up!) scooped yesterday that Sen. Joe Manchin has asked to review Ford’s contract with the Chinese firm.

• A spokesperson previously said the energy committee chairman has “grave concerns about vehicle supply chain reliance on China” and “Ford has serious questions to answer.”

 The big picture: Ford has emphasized that they’ll own and control the Michigan plant.

• CATL will “help us get up to speed so we can build these batteries ourselves — batteries made here in Michigan and built for America,” executive chairman Bill Ford said Monday.
• But that hasn’t prevented criticism from Capitol Hill amid heightened tensions with China.

What they’re saying: Sen. Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate’s intelligence committee, wants the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review the deal.

• CFIUS has the power to block certain transactions.

The intrigue: Bloomberg reports Chinese officials will study the deal to ensure CATL’s “core technology isn’t handed over” to Ford, though the piece says it’s unlikely to be scuttled.