In the first period of Donald Trump’s presidency, the United States started a trade war with China. In 2019 and after the Biden period, the dosage of this competition was increased. Now, with the new Trump period, this conflict seems to continue. However, in this tension, a third side has been revealed: Elon Musk.

Elon Musk has played an active role in Trump’s re -election process and has already become the President’s right -hand man. Working to close or make areas where the United States is disrupted and inefficient, Musk supports Trump and its policies from its most foundations. However, Musk continues to advance his relationship with China in doing so. This constitutes a contradiction with the US policy of Chinese.

Musk love of China and Chinese investors

So much so that Chinese investors transfer millions of dollars to Elon Musk’s private companies, while complex financial structures are used to hide by who these investments are made. According to the information conveyed by asset managers and investors, special funds are poured from China to Musk companies such as SpaceX, Neuralink and XAI. These investments are made through financial structures called “Special -Purpose Vehicles” (SPOS VEHICLES – SPV). There is no unlawfulness in these investments.

Although these investments are within the legal framework, there are concerns about the conflict of interest and foreign influence, especially due to the increasing influence of Elon Musk on US politics. “How can one be a good person to reform in the US government when someone who is in the position of Musk has so many connections with China?” says.

Musk’s relations with China have long been a matter of debate. Tesla has a large production facility in China, and SpaceX’s direct Chinese investment is removed. According to the transferred, Chinese wealthy investors have started to transfer capital to Elon Musk’s private initiatives since the end of the 2010s. As it will be recalled, Musk started to benefit from the low -cost and efficient supply chains of China by establishing Tesla’s production facility in Shanghai in 2019. Considering the rise of Musk’s companies, it can be said that Chinese investors have made serious profits from here.

Since its opening in 2019, the Shanghai facility has left Tesla’s facilities in the United States in terms of both dimension and productivity, while the company has started to form more than half of its global delivery and the majority of its profit. Moreover, approximately 40 percent of Tesla’s battery supply chain are based on Chinese companies and these partnerships continue to expand.

In particular, Tesla became the first foreign car manufacturer to be allowed to operate without a local partner in China after a change in property regulations. The Shanghai factory was built with the support of the $ 1.4 billion loan from Chinese state banks with appropriate interest rates.

The Shanghai management also provided a 15 percent discount corporate tax rate, which was 10 points lower than the standard rate than the standard rate between 2019-2023. The cost advantages of production in Shanghai further reinforced Tesla’s dependence on the Chinese market, including lower production and labor expenses.

As Musk’s reserve is largely dependent on Tesla shares, the financial situation becomes increasingly dependent on the company’s reserve in China, which makes a possible withdrawal from the country both economically and strategically difficult. Musk’s relationship with China still continues at a high level. Because Tesla opened its second factory in Shanghai on 11 February 2025. The $ 200 million facility, which is planned to produce 10,000 megapack batteries annually, is the company’s first Megapack Battery Factory outside the USA.

Days before Musk’s investment, the Trump administration brought 10 %customs duties to products imported from China, and China responded by bringing American coal, liquefied natural gas, agricultural equipment and crude petroleum customs.

A Chinese fan

It is necessary to know that the richest people in the world are also a Chinese fan. During his visit to Beijing in April 2024, he said that he was greeted with great admiration by the Chinese people and used the expression “This feeling mutual .. In particular, while praising the discipline of Chinese workers and long working hours, the accusation of “laziness” of American employees attracted a reaction in the USA.

In addition, China’s infrastructure investments, high -speed train projects and investments in green energy are also among the issues that Musk often praises. Musk, who also appreciates China’s place in the global space race, has a pro -Chinese view for Taiwan, one of the most controversial issues between the US and China. Describing Taiwan as an inseparable part of China, Musk suggested that Taiwan be connected to China with his Hong Kong model.

However, the political circles in Washington are watching Musk’s warm approach to China with anxiety. While the United States deepened technology wars with China, it follows a line that adopts an increasingly hard policy on Taiwan.

Is it an informal channel for Trump?

Considering Musk’s relationship with the Trump administration, the question of whether it will play a role of a kind of rear door diplomacy in China -related policy issues. Just before Trump’s oath ceremony, Musk’s meeting with China’s senior officials gives clues about it. Because it is personally close to Musk’s Chinese government. Li Qiang, who was the Shanghai Party chief at that time, was currently the second most competent name in the country with the title of Prime Minister. Musk’s business interests in China and the relations with the Beijing administration can take it to a position to have an indirect impact on Trump’s Chinese policy.

On the other hand, the possibility of China’s use of Musk as an element of pressure is on the table. China has exhibited many examples in the past to direct foreign companies in accordance with their own strategic interests.

“China’s biggest puppet”

These possibilities are not only mentioned in the information transmitted from ear to ear in the whisper newspapers. In the last sessions held in the US House of Representatives, the risks that Musk’s relations with China may cause national security were highlighted. In fact, the Democrats described Musk as “China’s greatest puppet ..

The US House of Representatives had organized a session to address China’s port investments in Panama, Peru and Brazil. In this session, Democrat deputies defined Musk as a figure serving China’s political interests. As it will be recalled, Musk played a role in the closure of the US International Development Agency (USAID). In the session, the USAID closure would be an advantage for China, the US will weaken its influence in Latin America and help China will help to increase its influence in the region.

The concern of the democrats is also supported by the Republicans. The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Private Committee of the US House of Representatives on China warned that China could print on Elon Musk.

When all of this is brought together, the role and influence of Musk, which is known as the “shadow president olan at a time when the US and Chinese relations were further stretched by the Trump period, will be very critical. It would be a big mistake to see Musk’s influence from a “political” point of view. The billionaire name is the most powerful weapon in space with SpaceX, while Tesla is the largest electric vehicle manufacturer of the West.