Photo: AFP/Rebecca Noble
Ferenc Mórász
28/02/2025 06:00
Elon Musk – Co-Head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
The world’s richest man, CEO of Tesla and X, and chairman of SpaceX, has significant business interests in China. Tesla opened its Shanghai gigafactory in 2019, the first entirely foreign-owned car plant in China. Its construction was supported by cheap loans and regulatory concessions from the Chinese state, and China has since become Tesla’s second-largest market. Last April, Musk visited Beijing and met with Premier Li Qiang, with discussions focusing on Tesla’s autonomous driving software’s introduction in China and the authorisation of data transfers abroad.
Some compare Musk—particularly in the Chinese press—to Henry Kissinger, suggesting he could play a significant role in mediating US-China relations. However, while some see him as a pragmatic intermediary, others argue that his economic interests cast doubt on his credibility in this role. This is particularly relevant as Musk will serve as an advisor in the upcoming Trump administration: alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, he will co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), giving him considerable influence over the president’s economic policies.
Musk played a key role in the failure of a bipartisan budget deal in early December—an agreement that would have ensured government funding until March this year—by publicly threatening Republican representatives who supported the deal with primary challenges. This pressure contributed to several lawmakers changing their stance. Some Democratic House members claimed that Musk opposed the deal because it contained provisions restricting Chinese investments. In the final agreement, sections criticising China were either removed or significantly softened.
Vivek Ramaswamy – Co-Head of DOGE
The Indian-American businessman’s biotech company, Roivant Sciences, partnered with a Chinese state-owned investment firm in 2018 to establish Sinovant Sciences, a pharmaceutical company. Ramaswamy faced criticism for his business interests in China, leading him to distance himself from his ventures there by 2021 and resign from Roivant. He now takes a strongly critical stance on China, advocating for reduced economic dependence and expressing concerns about the Chinese Communist Party and the country’s regulatory environment.
David Perdue – Former Georgia Senator, Nominee for US Ambassador to Beijing
The leading candidate for the ambassadorial post in Beijing, Perdue has held several top positions in multinational corporations. He played a key role in developing Reebok’s Asian markets, with the company’s manufacturing operations relying heavily on Asia, particularly China. At Sara Lee, Perdue was responsible for expanding business ties in Asia, including cooperation with the Chinese government.
These business connections give him a deeper understanding of China’s economic landscape, which could benefit his diplomatic work. His appointment may signal that the Trump administration intends to continue its hardline policy on China, particularly concerning trade and security issues. His business experience and knowledge of China may enable him to effectively represent American interests.
The author is a junior analyst at the Makronóm Institute