Tesla founder Musk meets Chinese Premier as competitors show off new EVs

28 April 2024, 18:04

Elon Musk meets Chinese Premier
China Tesla. Picture: PA

Li Qiang told Elon Musk he hopes the US will work more with China on ‘win-win’ cooperation.

Tesla founder and chief executive Elon Musk has met the Chinese Premier in Beijing, just as the nation’s carmakers are showing off their latest electric vehicle models at the capital’s auto show.

Li Qiang told Mr Musk that he hopes the US will work more with China on “win-win” cooperation, citing Tesla’s operations in China as a successful example of economic cooperation, China’s state broadcaster CCTV said on its main evening news programme.

For China, Mr Musk is a welcome antidote to the tough talk from US officials, which played out most recently during a visit by secretary of state Antony Blinken.

Mr Li’s remarks also reflect China’s efforts to attract foreign investment to boost its flagging economy.

It was not clear whether Musk would visit the auto show, which runs through this week.

Chinese carmakers and start-ups have launched several electric cars in recent years, some going head-to-head with Tesla and undercutting the American maker on price.

An earlier CCTV online report said that Mr Musk had come at the invitation of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and met with its president, Ren Hongbin, to exchange views on further cooperation and other topics.

Tesla has a major manufacturing base in Shanghai for both domestic sales in China and exports to Europe and other regions.

It cut prices in China a week ago, following similar reductions in the US.

Tesla has a major manufacturing base in Shanghai for both domestic sales in China and exports to Europe and other regions. It cut prices in China a week ago, following similar reductions in the US.

The European Union has launched an investigation into Chinese subsidies for the EV industry that could lead to tariffs on electric vehicles made in China, potentially including Tesla cars.

The green energy subsidies have helped transform the Chinese auto market, with EVs reaching about a quarter of new car sales last year, eating into demand for petrol-powered vehicles.

Foreign carmakers such as Volkswagen and Nissan are scrambling to develop new EV models to hold onto or claw back market share in China, the world’s largest automobile market.

By Press Association

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

Damage at a village affected by a flash flood in Agam, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Indonesian rescuers search through rivers and rubble after flash floods

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, greets US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, prior to their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine

Blinken says US arms will ‘make difference’ in Ukraine on surprise visit to Kyiv

Michael Cohen leaves his apartment building on his way to Manhattan criminal court

Michael Cohen to face bruising cross-examination by Trump’s lawyers

Josef Fritzl, centre, is escorted to the fourth day of his trial in the provincial courthouse in St Poelten, Austria in 2009

Austrian court says Fritzl can be moved to prison from psychiatric detention

Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for a photo prior to their talks on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China in 2023

Russian president Putin to make state visit to China this week

Australia Whistleblower

Australian whistleblower who exposed war crimes allegations is jailed

A Houthi soldier stands on board of the Israeli Galaxy ship which was seized by the Houthis, in the port of Saleef, near Hodeidah, Yemen

US calls on Iran to halt weapons transfers to Yemen’s Houthis for ship attacks

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prays at Kashi Vishwanath Temple after a roadshow in Varanasi, India

Modi files nomination to run for third term as PM in India’s general election

Displaced Palestinians arrive in central Gaza after fleeing from the southern Gaza city of Rafah in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip

‘More than half a million people’ have fled fighting in Rafah and northern Gaza

German far-right politician of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) Bjorn Hocke arrives for a session of his trial over the alleged use of Nazi phrases, at the regional court in Halle, eastern Germany

Verdict expected for German politician Bjorn Hocke, accused of using Nazi slogan

A pro-democracy activist holds placards with the picture of Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan outside the Chinese central government’s liaison office, in Hong Kong

Status of Chinese woman who reported on Covid unknown on day of expected release

Georgia and Melissa Laurie

British woman who saved her twin sister from crocodile attack is first to be given King's bravery medal from Charles

The comments came as Cohen took to the stand to give evidence as part of Trump's ongoing 'hush money' trial in New York

Donald Trump ‘ordered porn star payoff to save presidential campaign’, former lawyer Michael Cohen testifies

KHARKIV, UKRAINE - MAY 10, 2024 - Rescuers are seen at work at a house after a Russian missile attack, Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine

Russian military says it has seized control of nine villages in northeastern Ukraine as fighting in Kharkiv intensifies

Maryland Bridge Collapse

Crews conduct controlled demolition of Baltimore bridge span

Migrant Channel crossing incidents

Notorious people smuggler wanted in Europe arrested in northern Iraq