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Why Does Trump Need Tech Giants to Accompany Him? The Strategic Calculus of This China Delegation
Answer Capsule: Trump’s move aims to showcase American corporate unity and economic strength to China, while leveraging tech leaders’ influence to create leverage in tariff negotiations. These CEOs represent not only their own business interests but are also key pawns in the US-China tech cold war.
Trump has always favored the “art of the deal” as the core of his diplomacy, and bringing Musk, Cook, and Fink this time is, on the surface, a business delegation, but in essence, a carefully orchestrated power display. Over the past year, Trump and Musk had tense relations due to public sparring on social media platforms, but as Musk left the government efficiency department and Tesla faced intensified competition in the Chinese market, the two have reconciled. Trump needs Musk’s tech halo to reinforce the narrative of “American innovation leadership,” while Musk needs the Trump administration’s concessions on tariffs for Chinese electric vehicles to protect the profits of the Shanghai Gigafactory.
Cook’s situation is more delicate. He is set to step down as CEO in September, and this visit may be his last major diplomatic move for Apple. Cook successfully lobbied Trump to exempt iPhones from tariffs in the past, but this time Trump has imposed partial tariffs on iPhones, forcing Apple to shift iPhone production for the US market to India. Cook must prove to Beijing that Apple’s commitment to the Chinese supply chain has not wavered, or risk facing retaliatory measures from the Chinese government.
Fink’s inclusion represents the stance of financial capital. BlackRock manages over $10 trillion in assets, and its ESG investment approach has potential intersections with China’s green energy policies. If the US and China can reach a framework agreement on AI and climate finance, it would send a significant signal to global capital markets.
Tim Cook’s Beijing Endgame: Can Apple’s Supply Chain Maintain the Status Quo?
Answer Capsule: Cook’s core goal is to convince China that Apple has not fully withdrawn from China, while securing more favorable tariff conditions from Trump. However, as iPhone production accelerates its shift to India, the irreplaceability of China’s supply chain is weakening.
Apple’s supply chain strategy has long relied on China’s labor dividend and infrastructure, but the tariff pressures of Trump’s second term have forced Cook to make structural adjustments. According to data from market research firm Counterpoint, iPhones manufactured in India accounted for 18% of global shipments in Q1 2026, up from 12% in 2024. While this shift alleviates tariff impacts, it also unsettles the Chinese government.
Cook may propose the following trade-offs in this meeting:
| Issue | Apple’s Position | China’s Possible Demands | Potential Compromise |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone Tariff Exemption | Seek full exemption to avoid cost pass-through to consumers | Expand R&D center investment in China | Commit to establish an AI R&D lab in Shenzhen |
| Supply Chain Shift | Maintain China production capacity above 50% | Ensure increased local sourcing of key components | Increase long-term contracts with Chinese suppliers |
| Data Localization | Comply with Chinese regulations but request flexibility for cross-border data transfer | Strictly enforce data security reviews | Set up an independent data center in China |
These negotiation outcomes will directly affect Taiwan’s assembly plants and component suppliers. If Cook successfully persuades Trump to lower tariffs, iPhone production share in China may stabilize in the short term, but long-term diversification is irreversible.
Elon Musk’s China Bet: Can Tesla Survive BYD’s Onslaught?
Answer Capsule: Musk needs Trump’s help to lower tariff barriers in the Chinese market while facing fierce competition from BYD in EVs and AI autonomous driving. Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory profitability is under pressure.
Tesla’s situation in China is even more challenging than Apple’s. BYD surpassed Tesla as the world’s largest EV manufacturer in 2025 and is rapidly catching up in autonomous driving technology. Musk once publicly praised BYD’s products, but now he must face reality: the price war in China’s EV market has compressed Tesla’s profit margins.
| Competitive Aspect | Tesla Advantage | BYD Advantage | Key Indicator (Q1 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EV Sales | Global brand loyalty | 30% lower cost from local supply chain | Tesla’s China market share dropped from 15% to 11% |
| Autonomous Driving | FSD software ecosystem | Blade battery and smart driving system integration | BYD smart driving model shipments up 45% YoY |
| AI Computing Power | Dojo supercomputer | Cloud AI partnership with Huawei | Training cost gap narrowed to 15% |
During the visit, Musk may push for two key agreements: securing regulatory approval for Tesla FSD in China, and signing long-term contracts with Chinese battery suppliers to reduce costs. These moves will affect order allocation for Taiwan’s EV component suppliers.
Larry Fink’s ESG Chess Game: How Can BlackRock Play Both Sides Between the US and China?
Answer Capsule: Fink’s participation represents Wall Street’s expectations for US-China cooperation on climate and AI. BlackRock may push for joint US-China AI investment standards, which will influence global tech fund flows.
As the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock’s investment decisions have a profound impact on the tech industry. Fink has long advocated for companies to integrate ESG into core strategies, but the Trump administration is reserved about this approach. On this visit, Fink may act as a bridge, promoting dialogue between the US and China on AI ethics and green finance.
Specifically, the cooperation framework Fink might propose includes:
flowchart TB
A[US-China AI Governance Framework] --> B[Data Security Standards]
A --> C[AI Ethics Review Mechanism]
A --> D[Green AI Investment Fund]
B --> E[Cross-Border Data Transfer Regulations]
C --> F[Algorithm Transparency Reports]
D --> G[US-China Joint Funding of $100 Billion]
G --> H[Support Low-Carbon AI Data Centers]
G --> I[Fund AI Education in Emerging Markets]
If this framework gains support from both sides, it will inject new momentum into global tech stocks. Taiwan's semiconductor and server supply chains may benefit from increased AI infrastructure demand.The Crossroads of US-China AI Governance: Can This Meeting Avoid Tech Decoupling?
Answer Capsule: Trump and Xi have differing stances on AI regulation, but business leaders may push for pragmatic bilateral agreements to prevent a complete split in AI chip and software markets.
Currently, US-China competition in AI has expanded from chip export controls to algorithm and data standards. The US Commerce Department further restricted high-end AI chip exports to China in 2025, forcing China to accelerate independent R&D. However, the inclusion of multiple tech leaders in this delegation suggests Trump may be willing to ease restrictions in some areas in exchange for Chinese concessions on trade and the Iran issue.
timeline
title Key Events in US-China AI Policy
2023 : US restricts NVIDIA H100 chip exports
2024 : China launches indigenous AI chip program
2025 : Commerce Department expands controls to AI model parameters
2026 : Trump-Xi meeting may sign AI cooperation memorandum
Possible areas of cooperation include:
- **AI Safety Standards**: Jointly develop norms for deepfake and disinformation prevention.
- **Medical AI**: Open data sharing to accelerate drug discovery.
- **Autonomous Driving**: Coordinate testing and certification standards to reduce cross-border operational barriers.Deep Implications for Taiwan’s Tech Industry: Acceleration and Risks of Supply Chain Restructuring
Answer Capsule: Taiwanese manufacturers must closely monitor the outcome of US-China tariff negotiations and assess the pace of Apple and Tesla capacity shifts. Short-term orders may stabilize, but long-term diversification of production bases remains necessary.
The results of this delegation will directly affect three major variables for Taiwan’s tech industry:
| Variable | If Agreement Reached | If Talks Break Down |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone Tariffs | Stable orders for Taiwan assembly plants | Accelerated India capacity, Taiwan share declines |
| Tesla Supply Chain | Increased Chinese battery procurement | BYD price pressure, component margins shrink |
| AI Chip Exports | Continued strong demand for Taiwan AI servers | Rise of Chinese indigenous chips, order diversion from Taiwan |
Taiwanese manufacturers should adopt the following strategies:
- Strengthen links with India and Southeast Asian supply chains: Reduce dependence on a single market.
- Invest in AI and automation technologies: Improve production efficiency to cope with price competition.
- Participate in US-China AI standard setting: Influence regulatory trends through international organizations.
FAQ
Why is Musk invited to China despite his public feud with Trump?
Musk’s Tesla has massive manufacturing and sales interests in China, and his relationship with Trump has been repaired. Trump needs tech leaders’ endorsement to strengthen US-China negotiation leverage.
How does Cook’s visit affect Apple’s supply chain strategy?
Cook’s key goal is to secure iPhone tariff exemptions and ensure China supply chain stability, while making final political capital moves before his succession.
What does Fink’s participation mean for global financial markets?
BlackRock manages the world’s largest assets; Fink’s involvement suggests US and China may reach framework agreements on AI investment and green energy, reducing uncertainty.
What are the potential impacts on Taiwan’s tech industry from this visit?
If US and China reach tariff relief, Apple and Tesla may slow capacity shifts to India and Southeast Asia, stabilizing Taiwan supply chain orders short-term, but long-term diversification remains necessary.
Will AI governance become a core topic at the Trump-Xi meeting?
US and China have large differences on AI regulation and safety standards, but business leaders from both sides may push for a bilateral AI ethics framework to avoid market fragmentation from tech decoupling.
Further Reading
- Elon Musk, Tim Cook and Larry Fink expected to join Trump’s entourage to Beijing this week - Fortune
- Apple’s supply chain shift to India: Latest data from Counterpoint Research
- White House official statement on Trump’s China visit itinerary
- Tesla vs BYD: Global EV market share analysis 2026 Q1
- US-China AI governance framework proposal from Brookings Institution
