China Hawks Are Reckoning With the Elon Musk Era

“As we develop the right policies, business will follow the policy,” the chair of the select committee on competition with the Chinese government said, optimistically.

Elon Musk in China

It’s not clear if tough-on-China Republicans will seriously stand up for their priorities. Ding Ting/AP

Lawmakers from both parties believe China poses a generational threat — one that all of American society has to work together to confront.

But as China hawks try to advance their ideas this year, they aren’t just contending with the Chinese government. They’re also fighting for a voice in Donald Trump’s new administration, while Elon Musk — who has deep business ties with China — wields unprecedented influence and has near-unfettered access to government agencies.

It’s not clear who will come out on top or if tough-on-China Republicans will seriously stand up for their priorities.