Tesla

Making Signals out of Tesla Turns and its Implications for Foreign Firms

Tesla’s top brass, employees, and shareholders must be charged up about the surfeit of good news in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) over roughly the past three months after the world’s most famous electric vehicle (EV) firm hit a slew of potholes there. In late April, PRC Premier Li Qiang hosted Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

MNCs in the News-2021-April

Tesla’s road in China becomes bumpier. China’s China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) accepts application from France’s BNP Paribas to set up securities firm in China. China’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in and lending to Africa switch from a focus on energy to minerals which also has implications for the countries that it targets. China’s Ministry of Commerce reports that non-financial outward FDI (OFDI) in the first quarter of 2021 grew 4.6 percent over the same period in 2020, with solid growth in OFDI to Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries. Japan’s Line works to improve disclosures and employee data handling practices in the wake of revelations employees at an affiliate in China accessed some of its users’ data. Major investment by Tencent subsidiary in Japan’s Rakuten draws regulatory attention due to concerns about the leak of personal information and technology from the latter to the former. Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) imposes fine on Apple Korea due to Apple Korea actions that disrupted a KFTC investigation of Apple Korea’s abuse of its market dominance. Korean actors move to organize lawsuit against Facebook which has been found by Korean regulators to have violated Korean law by sharing user data without consent. Korea’s Samsung and Hyundai Motor reportedly prepare big proposals for FDI in the US prior to upcoming summit between Korean President Moon and US President Biden. SK Innovation pays $1.8 billion to LG Energy Solutions to settle a dispute between the two firms relating to the former’s theft of electric battery trade secrets from the latter.

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard's picture

The Free Trade Zone that Ate Shanghai

The Shanghai Free Trade Zone (SFTZ) came into being in 2013. Since its birth, it has scored accomplishments such as faster customs processing times and easier business establishment.

Dr. Jean-Marc F. Blanchard's picture

Charged up about the Political Meaning of Tesla in China: Time to Apply the Brakes?

In 2017, it was revealed American electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla had concluded an agreement with Shanghai to build a manufacturing complex in Shanghai that, per Tesla CEO Elon Musk, will be extremely advanced and produce cars customized for the China market.

MNCs in the News-2019-01-11

During a meeting with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stated his country welcomes investments from foreign firms and is open to deepening cooperation with them. An official from the Beijing Central Business District (CBD), which is undertaking steps to attract higher quality firms, touts foreign direct investment (FDI)’s contribution to CBD. Chinese merger & acquisition (M&A) activity in the US in 2018 plummets. Rising Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) scrutiny of foreign attempts to purchase minority stakes in American companies has fueled a major drop in Chinese venture funding of United States (US) start-ups. Chinese FDI pours into Latin America as US presence wanes and Latin American technology firms thirst for funding. South Korea President Moon Jae-in accuses Tokyo of politicizing recent court decisions over wartime labor. Meeting with his British counterpart, Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo urges the United Kingdom (UK) to avoid a no-deal Brexit. During his New Year Press conference last week, South Korean President Moon reiterated his support for economic cooperation between the two Koreas and called for a lifting of economic sanctions. State-run Korea National Oil Corp. (KNOC) moves to liquidate overseas resources development projects that generated huge losses for the firm in 2017.

MNCs in the News-2018-12-07

China says will lift all barriers to foreign direct investment (FDI) not included on the negative list and launch a special inspection to ensure foreign investors are treated fairly. China is advancing its promise to open its financial sector as evidenced by its approval of Swiss UBS Group’s control of a local joint venture (JV). Tesla has opened the bidding to build its “gigafactory” in Shanghai that will help it avoid Chinese tariffs on imported US-built cars. Sensitive to rising national security concerns, British telecom firm BT Group has blocked Huawei from supplying equipment for its core 5G technology. Diverging from other countries, Portugal allowed its major network provider to sign a contract with Huawei. Japan and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. are contemplating abandoning a nuclear project in Turkey due to ballooning costs. Tokyo will issue guidelines for the acquisition of telecommunications equipment by central government ministries and the Self-Defense Forces that implicitly relate to Chinese makers. South Korean and Chinese officials hold investment promotion meeting in Beijing to seek ways to lower trade barriers and boost bilateral investment. Korean delegations makes urgent visit to the United Arab Emirates to dispel worries of Korea’s possible loss of the exclusive right to operate the Barakah nuclear power plant.

MNCs in the News-2018-08-03

Shanghai’s release of 100 policies seems to be drawing in foreign direct investment (FDI) in advanced manufacturing and benefitting foreign firms in remanufacturing. Google reportedly will launch censored search engine in China in 6-8 months. China’s National Development and Reform Commission lightens up restrictions on overseas borrowings by Chinese companies. Negative security review leads Yantai Taihai Group to drop plan to buy Germany’s Leifeld Metal Spinning AG. Japan, US, and Australia agree to invest in infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific in an apparent move to counter China. Japan seeks to cooperate with Moscow on construction of liquefied natural gas transfer hub in Russia’s Far East to minimize supply risks. Korean government to invest USD $1.3 trillion in 10-year next-generation semiconductor project to attract global semiconductor firms to set up plants in Korea. South Korea bolstering efforts to win bid for Saudi Arabia nuclear project after losing bid for United Kingdom construction project.

MNCs in the News-2018-07-20

BMW and Tesla roll forward in China as government paves the road to greater ownership stakes. Foreign financial institutions banking on increasing role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Cambodia’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries opined that Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) in Cambodia’s agricultural sector was bearing substantial fruit for his country. Sumitomo hopes to use agreements with Japanese local government to entice Japanese manufacturers to use rental plant areas at its Vietnamese industrial parks. Takeda optimistic about getting China’s sign-off for USD $62 billion Shire acquisition deal despite concerns of Chinese retaliation over US tariffs. LG Chem plans new battery plant in Nanjing to take advantage of the Chinese government’s electric car incentives, which are expected to disappear by 2020. New investment wave expected to hit Vietnam’s textile and garment industry boosted by Vietnam-South Korea FTA.

MNCs in the News-2018-07-13

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) says inward foreign direct investment (FDI) was solid for the first six months of 2018 year-over-year. Some observers see China opening to foreign deals because of external pressure as well as slowing inward FDI (IFDI). Merkel praises Chinese market opening moves as a sign of action, not just talk. Shaanxi Ligeance Mineral Resources Co. deal for United Kingdom (UK)’s Northern Aerospace grounded apparently for national security reasons. Japanese regulators mashing Apple over forcing customers to opt for particular product/service plans. Recent report reveals Japan moves up to third in US FDI while overall FDI drops due to US government plans to toughen regulations. Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings to raise stake in top Vietnamese drugmaker DHG Pharmaceutical as Vietnamese authorities approve removal of foreign ownership limit at DHG.Chinese government approves LG Display’s OLED display production facility in Guangzhou. South Korea and Singapore sign two agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral investments and trade by promoting collaboration between companies.

MNCs in the News-2018-07-13

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) says inward foreign direct investment (FDI) was solid for the first six months of 2018 year-over-year. Some observers see China opening to foreign deals because of external pressure as well as slowing inward FDI (IFDI). Merkel praises Chinese market opening moves as a sign of action, not just talk. Shaanxi Ligeance Mineral Resources Co. deal for United Kingdom (UK)’s Northern Aerospace grounded apparently for national security reasons. Japanese regulators mashing Apple over forcing customers to opt for particular product/service plans. Recent report reveals Japan moves up to third in US FDI while overall FDI drops due to US government plans to toughen regulations. Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings to raise stake in top Vietnamese drugmaker DHG Pharmaceutical as Vietnamese authorities approve removal of foreign ownership limit at DHG.Chinese government approves LG Display’s OLED display production facility in Guangzhou. South Korea and Singapore sign two agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral investments and trade by promoting collaboration between companies.

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