Fact Check: Ford is currently awaiting approval from China's Ministry of Commerce for applications to export more rare earths.

Fact Check: "Ford is currently awaiting approval from China's Ministry of Commerce for applications to export more rare earths."

What We Know

Ford Motor Company is currently facing challenges in obtaining rare earth materials essential for its vehicle production, particularly due to a new approval process implemented by China for exporting these materials. According to Ford's CEO, Jim Farley, the company has submitted applications to China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) for the export of rare earths, and these applications are being approved on a case-by-case basis (source-4, source-6).

China has acknowledged the growing global demand for rare earths and has stated that it reviews export license applications in accordance with its laws and regulations. The Ministry of Commerce has approved several compliant applications, indicating a willingness to facilitate trade while maintaining regulatory oversight (source-1, source-2).

Analysis

The claim that Ford is awaiting approval from China's Ministry of Commerce for applications to export more rare earths is substantiated by statements from Ford's CEO and corroborated by multiple news sources. Farley explicitly mentioned that the company has applications pending with MOFCOM, and these are being processed individually, which aligns with the current export control measures instituted by China (source-4, source-6).

The reliability of the sources is generally high. The statements from Ford's CEO are direct and provide insight into the company's operational challenges. Additionally, reports from reputable news outlets such as CBS News and Reuters lend credibility to the information, as they are known for their journalistic standards and fact-checking practices. The information from China's Ministry of Commerce also reflects official policy, which adds another layer of reliability to the claim (source-1, source-2).

However, it is important to note that while the approval process is ongoing, the situation remains fluid, and the pace of approvals may vary based on regulatory changes and geopolitical factors.

Conclusion

The claim that "Ford is currently awaiting approval from China's Ministry of Commerce for applications to export more rare earths" is True. This is supported by statements from Ford's CEO regarding the company's pending applications and the context of China's export regulations on rare earth materials.

Sources

1. China has approved a number of compliant applications for ...
2. China issues rare earth licenses to suppliers of top 3 US ...
3. Ford Suppliers Granted Rare Earth Export Licenses From China
4. Ford CEO says rare earth supply is 'day to day' after plant halt
5. Ford CEO says rare earths shortage forced it to shut factory
6. China Won't Allow U.S. Stockpiling of Rare Earths