ChinaTalk Tesla’s future in China, technology tensions, and the trade war on ‘pause’
Jan 31, 2020
Gordon Orr, a senior advisor at McKinsey & Company and board member at Lenovo and Meituan-Dianping, dives into the complex economic landscape of U.S.-China relations. He discusses the collateral damage from the trade war and its impact on consumer behavior, especially within the electric vehicle sector. Orr highlights Tesla’s potential ties to Huawei amid shifting market dynamics and the rise of young Chinese consumers prioritizing experiences over home ownership. The conversation also touches on technology tensions and evolving industrial policies.
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Early Tech Tensions
- Tech tensions between Western and Chinese technology companies are not new.
- In the 90s, Huawei was accused of copying Cisco's instruction manual, including typos.
Tech Tensions: Then vs. Now
- Current tech tensions, particularly in semiconductors, are more strategically critical for the broader economy than past tensions.
- However, they have precedents in automotive, high-speed rail, solar panels, and wind turbines.
Certainty for Investment
- Companies need certainty to make investment decisions.
- The trade war creates uncertainty about tariffs, sourcing, personnel movement, and technology licensing.