A Chinese state-run newspaper published a warning to Elon Musk, claiming he could be "breaking the pot of China" after he shared a report from the U.S. Department of Energy that gave a "low confidence" assessment to the theory that COVID-19 leaked from a Wuhan laboratory.
The warning comes amid heightened tensions between China and the U.S. due to the recent Chinese balloon flown over the U.S. and Canada, which President Biden ordered shot down after saying it was for espionage.
Tesla has made significant efforts to expand its operations in China, and Musk's involvement in any political conflict could hinder these advancements. Tesla stock was down 0.92% today.
- "Breaking the pot after eating" is a Chinese saying equivalent to accusing Musk of "biting the hand that feeds him."
- The report from the U.S. Department of Energy echoed the findings of a 2021 report by the FBI, which determined with "moderate confidence" that the virus was developed in a Wuhan laboratory.
- China is currently the second-largest market for Tesla vehicles, and its Shanghai campus is one of its fastest-growing production hubs.
- Tesla also recently named Chinese national Tom Zhu, the former head of its Shanghai factory, as its new head of global automotive production, sales, and service, making him the defacto successor to Elon Musk and the official with the most responsibility as Musk balances his duties with Twitter, SpaceX and his other ventures.
