Jan 19, 2025 - Business

Chinese state media says its VP met with Musk on Trump inauguration eve

Rebecca Falconer

Elon Musk speaks at President-Elect Donald Trump's victory rally at the Capital One Arena on January 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. — Elon Musk speaks at President-elect Trump's victory rally at the Capital One Arena on Sunday in Washington, D.C. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images

China's Vice President Han Zheng and Elon Musk met on Sunday ahead of President-elect Trump's inauguration, per Chinese state media.

Why it matters: Chinese leader Xi Jinping deployed his top envoy to attend Trump's inauguration on Monday in an unprecedented move following Trump's threats to impose major tariffs on China.

Han urged Musk during their meeting to promote U.S.-China "economic and trade relations," according to the official Chinese news agency Xinhua.
"Musk said that Tesla is willing to deepen investment and cooperation in China and play an active role in promoting U.S.-China economic and trade exchanges," the agency added.

State of play: Han "expressed his welcome for American companies including Tesla to seize the opportunity, share the fruits of China's development," Xinhua reported.

The vice president also met with representatives of the U.S.-China Business Council, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business leaders on Sunday in Washington, D.C., per Xinhua.
Representatives for Musk and Trump did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

Go deeper: Trump had a call with China's Xi about TikTok and trade

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Chinese state media says its VP met with Musk on Trump inauguration eve

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