Tesla Takes the Socialist Pledge

China is one of the most important consumer, industrial, and raw materials markets in the world. They also happen to be a bad actor in terms of environmental practices and human rights. Companies looking to do business in China need to go in with their eyes wide open, prepared to handle a complicated set of decisions and PR maneuvers.  That is the backdrop for a very odd set of circumstances that played out at the 2023 China Automobile Forum in early July. Tesla was one of 16 EV companies - the only non-Chinese manufacturer, in fact - to sign a four point pledge that includes an agreement to adhere to "core socialist values." In this episode of Dial P, Kelly Barner: Explains what happened in Shanghai earlier this month, why it happened, and why it only stayed in effect for 48 hours Considers the differences between Communism and Socialism and what they mean for companies attempting to do business in China Thinks about the geopolitical complexity associated with the significant potential for growth and revenue from Chinese consumers