Brandenburg's Minister of Economic Affairs: Distance from Musk - no consequences for Grünheide
Brandenburg's Minister of Economic Affairs Jörg Steinbach (SPD) distances himself from Tesla CEO Elon Musk. "The victory of Donald Trump is highly problematic for us. I had more frequent contact with Elon Musk in recent months, I intensely argued with him," Steinbach told the "Tagesspiegel". Musk is supposed to help the future US President Trump in cutting government spending.
"I definitely do not share the political views of Mr. Musk and Mr. Trump," Steinbach told the German Press Agency. "I distance myself from that." But he also said: "As an investor, entrepreneur, and innovator, I still appreciate Musk."
Steinbach considers positions to be "fundamentally wrong"
Steinbach made his differences with Musk clear according to his own statements. "I made it clear that I consider all this to be fundamentally wrong," he told the "Tagesspiegel". "For us, Donald Trump is not a democracy advocate, but an autocratic president." Steinbach said:
"We agreed that we do not come together on this."
Musk announced the construction of the first and so far only Tesla electric car factory in Europe about five years ago. The plant in Grünheide, Brandenburg, was built in record time. Musk is controversial due to his statements. He had spoken positively about the AfD after the European elections.
Minister sees no crisis for Tesla in Grünheide
Steinbach assumes that Musk will "frustratedly withdraw" after a few months. "He will realize that certain positions of Donald Trump totally oppose his beliefs, especially regarding climate protection." There will be people who therefore do not want to be seen on the street with the Tesla logo.
"But I don't expect a big wave there, and certainly no negative impact for Grünheide."
According to the minister, the e-car crisis will not have any major consequences for the Tesla factory. "It is one of four factories of the company for the global market," said Steinbach. "Tesla is hiring personnel, increasing the workforce, and will probably also tackle another shift."
Battery investments "on hold"
However, the SPD politician sees consequences of the economic crisis for Brandenburg. "Investments in the battery sector are, whether in Brandenburg or elsewhere, on hold for at least twelve months," he said. "But there is also light in sight."
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