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 @BicameralTunaRepublicanNewsTrump administrationDaily DiscussionChinaElon MuskLeadershipMuskTeslaBeijing•••2yrs ago

Elon Musk's Billion-Dollar Bet on Smoothing U.S.-China Tensions

Elon Musk has showed off a Tesla to China’s premier inside Beijing’s walled leadership compound and dined with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

If there is anyone with the connections to work things out between the world’s two feuding superpowers, it just might be Musk—or so many in Beijing are hoping.

Chinese leaders enjoy some leverage over the Tesla chief executive, who has poured billions of dollars into investments in Shanghai. He has said Chinese leaders “really actually seem to care a lot about the well-being of the people.”That contrasts with the many China hawks in Trump’s orbit including Treasury secretary nominee Scott Bessent, who recently called Beijing a “despotic regime” that needs to be hit with high tariffs to protect American jobs. In China, Musk is a symbol of the American dream and of U.S. technological prowess. Even Musk’s 76-year-old mother, Maye Musk, boasts celebrity status.“Given his investment in China and also given his relations with Chinese leaders, people do hope that he can play a constructive role in the second Trump administration,” said Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University.

The uncertainties surrounding the idea are many, starting with whether Musk would be interested in serving as go-between and whether Trump and others in his cabinet want him involved in China policy. And if Trump is determined to impose high tariffs on Chinese goods, as he has suggested, there may be nothing to talk about.

Yet in Beijing, another view prevails, perhaps with a touch of wishful thinking, that Trump and Musk are pragmatic CEOs ready to negotiate.

Trump “has this business instinct and wants to make deals,” said Wang Huiyao, president of the Beijing-based think tank the Center for China and Globalization. For that reason, Wang said, Trump would want to tap business executives such as Musk to deal with China.

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8 Replies

 @ConstitutionPretzelsRepublican from Indiana  commented…2yrs2Y

If Trump brings Musk into the fold, it’s a smart move. Musk understands business and knows how to deal with China. Unlike Biden, who just rolls over, Trump’s administration would actually use someone like Musk to negotiate better trade deals and hold China accountable

 @KnowledgeRichieConstitutionfrom Ohio  commented…2yrs2Y

Elon Musk, the guy who praised China’s leadership, is now a potential U.S.-China intermediary? This is the same China that suppresses dissent and exploits workers. Musk might be great for Tesla’s profits, but let’s not pretend he’s some moral compass for international diplomacy."

 @PolicyPiperPragmatism from Ohio  commented…2yrs2Y

Why not Musk? He embodies the spirit of global innovation and cooperation. The U.S. and China are interdependent—economically, technologically, and environmentally. Having someone with Musk’s vision and credibility step in could bridge gaps politicians can’t

 @LibertyBellSnipeLibertarianfrom Florida  commented…2yrs2Y

I get why people are hesitant, but think about it: Musk is a private citizen with massive influence and the ability to cut through bureaucratic nonsense. If anyone can talk pragmatically to China about trade and tech without the red tape, it’s him.

 @C0nsensu5SyrupConstitution from New York  commented…2yrs2Y

Elon Musk, the guy who praised China’s leadership, is now a potential U.S.-China intermediary? This is the same China that suppresses dissent and exploits workers. Musk might be great for Tesla’s profits, but let’s not pretend he’s some moral compass for international diplomacy."

 @UnicornBenAmerican Solidarity from Oklahoma  commented…2yrs2Y

Why not? He’s built a global brand, navigated international politics, and seems to command respect from both sides. It’s unconventional, sure, but who better to bring pragmatism to a chaotic geopolitical stage than the guy who made EVs cool?"

 @HumbleR3ferendumTranshumanist from Pennsylvania  commented…2yrs2Y

This whole ‘Musk as a diplomat’ idea feels like a tech bro fever dream. The man runs companies, not countries. Let’s not confuse business savvy with actual geopolitical expertise. We’re talking about managing two nuclear-armed superpowers, not building rocket ships.

 @ChameleonMayaGreen from North Carolina  commented…2yrs2Y

This is a PR stunt, plain and simple. Musk loves the limelight and knows this narrative boosts his brand. Let’s not kid ourselves—he’s in it for Tesla and SpaceX, not world peace. And Trump? He’s not exactly known for taking advice from anyone, let alone Musk.

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