Macron to meet Musk in Paris to discuss investments in Tesla

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 Jun 2023 23:56

France has been attempting to catch up with other European countries to host Electric Vehicle factories since Macron took power.

President Emmanuel Macron with Elon Musk at Elysee Palace May 15, 2023 (AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he will be meeting with Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla next week in Paris, Reuters reported.

This meeting is the second in a month: in an effort to promote France as a possible site for Electric Vehicles (EV).

Macron has been attempting to attract BYD and Tesla to build factories in France, officials had previously told Reuters.

"I'm going (into that meeting) with an agenda, we're going to talk about artificial intelligence, in which he is involved, social media, regulation framework... And then I'll also talk to him about cars, batteries, to promote French and European attractiveness," Macron said before his visit to the VivaTech summit in Paris which Musk will visit on Friday.

"It's up to the company to look at these different issues in Europe. So we'll be selling France [as an investment destination]," Macron said when asked if he would secure a Tesla factory in the factory.

France has been attempting to catch up with other European countries to host Electric Vehicle factories since Macron took power.

Last week, a report by Reuters revealed that US electric car manufacturer Tesla is seeking to make an automotive investment in Spain.

The company reportedly held talks with regional authorities in Valencia where the automotive investment will likely be made, sources close to the discussions told Reuters.

Furthermore, Spanish business newspaper Cinco Dias cited sources as saying the investment would involve the construction of a car factory, and that its total size could reach 4.5 billion euros ($4.83 billion).

In a statement, Valencian authorities denied that a deal was reached with Tesla. Tesla, on the other hand, declined to respond for comment.

Being Europe's second-largest car producer, Spain has in recent years attracted considerable investors into its territory as still employs European Union COVID pandemic recovery funds to facilitate business and industrial operations.