THIS suggests Elon Musk doesn't care about US govt, Joe Biden

Despite bilateral trade tensions continuing between the world’s two largest economies, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk does not seem to care about what the US government and Joe Biden decide, as Tesla has commenced construction of a battery manufacturing plant in China.

The construction in Shanghai comes weeks after Elon Musk’s unannounced visit to China where the billionaire met top officials and discussed matters of mutual commercial interest.

Thursday’s groundbreaking also took place when President Joe Biden stated that the US is imposing $18 billion tariffs on Chinese goods, including 100% on electric vehicles (EVs) which the founder of Tesla Musk does not support.

"Neither Tesla nor I asked for these tariffs, in fact, I was surprised when they were announced," Musk told VivaTech 2024.

The new factory is target to begin production by 2025’s first quarter, manufacturing 10,000 Megapacks of batteries in which huge electricity could be storied every year, reported CNN, quoting Lingang Group’s statement.

The facility is being set up near Austin-based Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory — the largest plant outside the home country.

According to the Chinese housing company, the Megapacks can store enough energy on average that can supply electricity to 3,600 homes for an hour.

"For Tesla, it’s an important milestone," Tom Zhu, senior vice president of Tesla, was quoted as saying in an article posted on the Shanghai government website Friday.

Wu Xiaohua, a Shanghai government official, said at the commencement ceremony Thursday that the city would assist Tesla in finishing the construction and "putting the factory into operation as soon as this year".

The 52-year-old Musk met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang during his visit in April where the official praised Tesla as a "successful model" for US-China collaboration.