U.S. Lawmakers Warn of Potential Chinese Influence on Trump Through Elon Musk

Bipartisan concerns arise over Beijing leveraging Musk's business ties in China to sway U.S. policy decisions.

Leaders of the U.S. House's select committee on China caution that Beijing may use Elon Musk's commercial interests in China to influence President Trump.
Musk, a major Trump donor and advisor, oversees Tesla, which relies heavily on the Chinese market despite facing growing competition and regulatory hurdles there.
Lawmakers suggest China sees Musk as a potential channel to bypass key national security figures in the Trump administration, such as Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz.
China's embassy emphasized its interest in fostering mutually beneficial cooperation with U.S. business leaders, including foreign investments in China.
The White House denies Musk's involvement in foreign policy decisions, but concerns persist regarding his proximity to Trump and potential implications for U.S.-China relations.