Replies to post #27356 on The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[DewDiligence]

Looks like The KFC Call is_already_in_progress:

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202302/20/WS63f2ccdfa31057c47ebafae2.html

"Tesla's facing a serious problem of a very limited product mix," said Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association. "Its slowness to respond to Chinese consumers' preferences has led to a very passive positioning for Tesla to rely on few means, such as price cuts, to stay competitive."

…Tesla did not respond to a request for comment on its China business.

[DewDiligence]

China’s Foreign Minister mocks TSLA:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/beijing-says-musk-opposes-decoupling-of-u-s-china-as-tesla-ceo-visits-china-1ce6851a

China’s foreign ministry said Elon Musk told officials in Beijing that he opposes decoupling the world’s two biggest economies, in a meeting held shortly after the Tesla chief executive arrived in the country at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions with the U.S.

...At Tuesday’s meeting, [Foreign Minister] Qin likened China-U. S. relations to driving a Tesla vehicle, which requires holding the steering wheel correctly, stepping on the brakes at the right time, avoiding dangerous driving and using the gas pedal appropriately, according to a readout from the ministry. Tesla didn’t respond to a request for comment.

This is pretty funny—unless you’re long TSLA.

[DewDiligence]

Sequoia preempts “KFC Call”—protects US business from China taint:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/venture-capital-firm-sequoia-to-separate-china-business-as-political-tensions-rise-36e54f85

Sequoia Capital, one of the most powerful names in technology investing, said it would separate its China and U.S. businesses…

…The Silicon Valley-based firm, famous for investments in startups including the owner of social media platform TikTok, epitomized the once symbiotic relationship between tech investors on both sides of the Pacific.

… The split takes place as the firm has come under increasing pressure from officials in Washington over its China business. U.S. national security officials have grown concerned about the two-way flow of money and information among tech companies and their investors. They worry that Chinese investors in U.S. tech companies could lead a foreign adversary to gain information about sensitive burgeoning technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Killing two birds with one stone.

[DewDiligence]

TSLA—The “KFC Call” redux:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/its-getting-riskier-to-do-business-in-china-taiwan-capital-control-yuan-tesla-d3dc88f6

By sharing its technology with China, Tesla jump-started an entire domestic industry. Now, as that industry is beginning to show signs of maturity, Tesla faces increasingly tough domestic competition from Chinese companies.

…China’s population is shrinking and getting older. The official count is in dispute, but demographer Yi Fuxian predicts China’s population will decline to one billion by 2050.

…As China’s economy contracts, the Communist Party will protect the profits of state-owned enterprises, further limiting opportunities for foreign companies.

Soon Beijing won’t need Tesla, and Mr. Musk will face regulatory hurdles and other difficulties.

Emphasis added.