US lawmakers worry China is using billionaire Musk to influence President Trump

Washington [US], February 26: Members of the House China Select Committee are concerned that Beijing could use billionaire Elon Musk to influence President Donald Trump.
The US House of Representatives' special committee on China has warned that China may seek to influence billionaire Elon Musk to gain favorable policies from the US, and Washington must counter that effort.
The committee's chairman, Republican John Moolenaar, and senior Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi, said China wanted to use American business leaders including billionaire Musk, who have business interests in China, to advance its goals in negotiations with Washington.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, Mr Moolenaar said China "will try to take advantage of every opportunity" with billionaire Musk, who leads the Office of Government Effectiveness in the administration of President Donald Trump.
Billionaire Musk and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in Washington said China welcomed "mutually beneficial cooperation" with "people from all walks of life in the United States".
"We are happy to see foreign-invested enterprises investing and starting businesses in China, increasing their presence in the Chinese market and sharing development opportunities," said Liu Pengwu, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in the US.
China has some pressing priorities. Just over a month into his second term, President Trump has announced an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods, called for tighter restrictions on Chinese investment in the United States, and appointed China hardliners to key positions.
Some observers say China could also give Musk what he wants. Musk's biggest business interest in China is his electric car company Tesla. Last year, Tesla delivered 36.7% of its cars to customers in China, the world's second-largest market by sales.
But Tesla's market share has declined in China as domestic electric car makers have grown, and it faces regulatory hurdles in rolling out self-driving features there that could boost sales, while regulators have allowed Chinese companies to go further.
In addition to Tesla, several of Mr. Musk's other projects, including SpaceX and social network X, are considered security risks by Beijing.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper