Musk's China Charm Offensive Nets Tesla Tax Break Amid Trade War

  • Tesla shares jumped in U.S. after news of Chinese concessions
  • Billionaire’s trip to China included debate with Alibaba’s Ma
Jack Ma with Elon Musk on Aug. 29.Photographer: VCG via Getty Images
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

Elon Musk’s charm offensive in China appears to have paid off.

During a visit last week to the country, the billionaire chief executive officer of Tesla Inc. won a tax exemption for the electric-car maker, got to promote his ground-digging Boring Co. passion project and even drew praise on social media for his frugal food and accommodation choices -- he was spotted eating dumplings and staying at the Holiday Inn.