The report about Elon Musk’s meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gives insight into the increasing business relations and potential cooperation between Musk’s companies and Turkey.
Here are some key points:
- Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in New York on Sunday.
- Erdoğan encouraged Musk to build Tesla’s next Gigafactory in Turkey.
- They also discussed SpaceX and Turkey’s Digital Vision and National Artificial Intelligence Strategy initiatives.
- Musk brought his baby to the meeting.
- Erdoğan gifted Musk two books about UN reform and a fairer world.
- Tesla began delivering its Model Y vehicles in Turkey in May.
- Tesla’s Model 3, Model S, and Model X vehicles aren’t yet available in Turkey.
Here are the key takeaways from the report:
1. Location and Duration: The meeting took place at the Turkish House in New York City and lasted for approximately 45 minutes.
2. Proposal for a Gigafactory: The most significant outcome of the meeting is Erdoğan’s proposition for Tesla to establish its seventh Gigafactory in Turkey. If accepted, this could mean a substantial investment from Tesla in Turkey and potentially provide significant economic benefits for the country in terms of job creation, technological advancement, and overall economic growth.
3. SpaceX and AI Initiatives: In addition to the Gigafactory proposal, the discussions touched upon SpaceX and Turkey’s ambitions in the Digital Vision and National Artificial Intelligence Strategy domains.
Elon Musk
4. Musk’s Personal Touch: Elon Musk’s decision to bring his baby to the meeting might have been an attempt to establish a more personal connection or simply a reflection of his unconventional style.
5. Gift Exchange: The two books gifted by Erdoğan to Musk underline the Turkish president’s push for international cooperation and his views on building a more equitable world.
Elon Musk and Lil X were seen together in New York, where they are set to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.🇺🇲🇹🇷 @elonmuskpic.twitter.com/UXT0fukdmf
— Dima Zeniuk (@DimaZeniuk) September 17, 2023
6. Tesla in Turkey: Tesla’s presence in Turkey is gradually growing, as indicated by the recent launch of the Model Y and the establishment of a design studio and Supercharger stations. However, Tesla’s full range isn’t yet available for purchase in Turkey.
7. SpaceX’s Offer Post-Earthquake: Musk’s offer to assist Turkey with Starlink internet after a devastating earthquake underscores the humanitarian potential of the technology. However, the offer was declined by Turkish officials.
Conclusion
This meeting between a global entrepreneur and a national leader highlights the increasing intertwining of business interests and diplomatic affairs. It will be intriguing to see how Tesla’s and SpaceX’s relationship with Turkey evolves following this engagement.
