According to Russian media reporting on November 7, Elon Musk told investor Ron Baron during an interview: "China is fantastic. By the way, I truly love China. Traveling there is genuinely inspiring." He added, "Please take a moment to consider—and allow me to point out—that Chinese automakers are exceptionally strong."
Musk’s remarks, made at this particular juncture, are not merely emotional expressions. Delivered at the New York Barron’s Investment Conference before a long-term investor in Tesla and SpaceX, the comments appear aimed at reassuring stakeholders: Tesla’s global operations remain deeply intertwined with China. This marks the second time this year that Musk has offered such emphatic praise for China.
In a September interview with CCTV Finance, he had already stated that “China’s manufacturing foundation is profound,” that “the success of the Shanghai Gigafactory stems from the Chinese team,” and that “China’s large AI models are outstanding.” In fact, Musk’s assertion that Chinese automakers are exceptional is not mere politeness—it is a reflection of hard data on sales performance. More crucially, the Shanghai factory is central to Tesla’s global supply chain. Musk presents a paradoxical profile: a major financial backer of the Trump-aligned political faction, yet also one of the most dependent U.S. entrepreneurs on China.
By mid-2026, Tesla’s global deliveries are projected to reach approximately 838,000 units, with over half originating from the Shanghai Gigafactory. The facility serves not only the domestic Chinese market but also functions as a key export hub for Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Musk’s emphasis on the Chinese team is, at its core, a message to investors: Tesla’s global production network cannot function without China. Of greater urgency is the political context—following the Republican Party’s poor performance in the midterm elections and the Democrats’ control of Congress, Hillary Clinton has publicly called for investigations into whether Musk has used his capital and platform to influence public policy.
Thus, Musk’s public declaration of affection for China sends a clear signal: regardless of shifts in U.S. politics, Tesla’s collaboration with China will remain intact. His praise for China is not driven by sudden sentimental attachment, but by tangible realities—the maturity of China’s new energy industry, its unmatched manufacturing efficiency, and its vast market scale. The Shanghai Gigafactory achieved construction and mass production in under one year—a pace impossible to replicate in the United States.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881182049649672/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.