US Lawmakers Warn of China’s Potential Leverage Over Elon Musk
Top US lawmakers have expressed concerns that China may attempt to use Elon Musk’s business interests to gain influence over Washington. Leaders of the House of Representatives’ select committee on China warned that Beijing could see Musk as a conduit to US President Donald Trump, given his close ties to the White House and significant investments in China.
Lawmakers Raise Red Flags Over Musk’s Role
Republican committee chair John Moolenaar and Democratic ranking member Raja Krishnamoorthi believe the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) aims to leverage prominent US business figures like Musk to shape US-China relations. Speaking at a Brookings Institution event, Moolenaar stated that Congress would work to prevent China from using Musk to influence US policy.
The lawmakers did not provide specific evidence but suggested that Beijing views Musk as a means to bypass Trump’s national security team, which includes China hawks like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Krishnamoorthi noted that China likely sees Musk as an asset in negotiations with the US.
Musk’s Business Ties to China
Musk, one of Trump’s biggest donors in the 2024 election, has had longstanding contact with senior Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping. His company, Tesla, relies heavily on China, which accounted for 36.7% of its car deliveries last year. However, Tesla has faced regulatory challenges in the country as domestic electric vehicle manufacturers gain ground.
Apart from Tesla, Musk’s ventures, such as SpaceX and social media platform X, are viewed by Beijing as security risks. Despite this, China could offer Musk incentives to maintain a working relationship, especially as Tesla seeks regulatory approvals for its self-driving technology in the country.
Concerns Over US Foreign Policy and Taiwan
The lawmakers worry that China could attempt to sway Trump’s approach to key geopolitical issues, such as support for Taiwan or military operations in the South China Sea. Trump’s praise for Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised fears that he may negotiate a deal with China that undermines longstanding US commitments.
Moolenaar expressed confidence in Trump’s national security team but acknowledged skepticism about China’s commitment to previous agreements. He also urged Taiwan to maintain its defense spending, warning that any cuts would send “the wrong signal” to both China and the international community.
As tensions between the US and China continue to escalate, lawmakers remain vigilant about Beijing’s potential influence over American business leaders with deep financial ties to China.
With inputs from Reuters
