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Trump-Musk Clash Triggers Scrutiny Fears Across Tesla, SpaceX, and Other Ventures

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Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s call to review subsidies awarded to Elon Musk’s companies has sparked concerns of heightened regulatory scrutiny across the billionaire’s business empire, which spans automotive, space, energy, brain tech, and social media. The threat of government intervention may disrupt operations or stall innovation in several of Musk’s ventures. Here’s a breakdown of the U.S. agencies involved:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Tesla is under continued investigation by the NHTSA, especially concerning its advanced driver assistance systems. The agency is reviewing incidents involving Tesla’s robotaxi service in Austin, including videos showing vehicles misbehaving in traffic and in adverse weather. These inquiries extend broader probes into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, particularly related to safety during poor visibility.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The FCC has begun reviewing its spectrum sharing policies, which could affect SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service. SpaceX is seeking new spectrum access to expand satellite coverage, but decades-old limits on signal power remain a barrier. The review could influence future Starlink deployments and broadband expansion goals.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Neuralink, Musk’s brain implant startup, falls under the FDA’s oversight. After an initial rejection due to safety concerns, the FDA granted clearance for clinical trials, which are currently underway in the U.S. Neuralink is also exploring trials in Canada. The FDA will decide if Neuralink’s implants can eventually be marketed.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA monitors SpaceX’s wastewater output at its Texas launch site and coordinates with other federal agencies under the National Environmental Policy Act. SpaceX’s rocket activities must pass environmental impact assessments to ensure compliance with land, water, and wildlife protection standards.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
In September, the FAA proposed a $633,000 fine against SpaceX for violating licensing requirements before two 2023 launches. The FAA continues to investigate the company’s safety compliance, especially after repeated rocket explosions. Additional restrictions may follow.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Musk is facing litigation from the SEC related to his 2022 acquisition of Twitter (now X). The agency has also probed Neuralink’s compliance and transparency, according to a December 2023 letter from Musk’s attorney, posted on X.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The FTC oversees data and privacy protections at Musk’s social media platform, X. The agency is also investigating antitrust allegations, reviewing whether media watchdog groups coordinated an advertiser boycott that Musk claims is illegal.

Regulatory Risk Outlook
Trump’s renewed focus on Musk’s government support could pave the way for increased enforcement or changes to existing subsidies, affecting growth trajectories across his enterprises. With Musk already under the microscope at multiple agencies, the political escalation adds another layer of complexity.

Micron Expands US Investment by $30 Billion Amid Trump’s Onshoring Push

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Micron Technology announced on Thursday a significant expansion of its U.S. investment plans, adding $30 billion to its existing commitments as President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to American soil. The memory chip maker now projects total investments of $200 billion, up from previous plans of approximately $125 billion.

The new funding will support the construction of a second cutting-edge memory fabrication facility in Boise, Idaho, and the expansion of its manufacturing site in Manassas, Virginia. “These investments are designed to allow Micron to meet expected market demand, maintain share and support Micron’s goal of producing 40% of its DRAM in the U.S.,” the company stated.

Micron’s DRAM chips are widely used in personal computers, automotive systems, industrial equipment, wireless communications, and artificial intelligence. The company’s High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) products are seen as essential for powering next-generation AI models. About $50 billion of Micron’s total investment will be dedicated to research and development.

President Trump’s administration has pushed hard for semiconductor onshoring, with Trump threatening new tariffs on chip imports and reconsidering previous subsidies granted under former President Joe Biden. In December, Micron secured nearly $6.2 billion in government subsidies through Biden’s $52.7 billion 2022 CHIPS and Science Act. Trump’s administration is now renegotiating some of those grants, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

The expansion aligns with broader trends in the U.S. semiconductor industry. Nvidia, a key customer of Micron, announced plans in April to build AI servers worth up to $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years, in partnership with firms such as Taiwan’s TSMC. “Micron’s investment in advanced memory manufacturing and HBM capabilities in the U.S., with support from (the) Trump administration, is an important step forward for the AI ecosystem,” said Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

Micron also finalized a $275 million direct funding award under the CHIPS Act to further support its Manassas facility expansion.

Lithium Prices Expected to Stabilize in 2025 Amid Mine Closures and China EV Sales

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Lithium prices are projected to stabilize in 2025 after experiencing a significant 86% drop over the past two years, according to analysts. The decline from the November 2022 peak has forced many global lithium mines to close, but as demand for electric vehicles (EVs) remains strong, particularly in China, analysts anticipate that this will help absorb the oversupply.

The global lithium glut, which reached nearly 150,000 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) last year, is expected to shrink by half in 2025. This is attributed to a reduction in supply as a result of mine closures and China’s robust support for the EV market, where sales are bolstered by government incentives.

In July 2024, China doubled EV subsidies, leading to a surge in EV sales, which exceeded 5 million vehicles by mid-December. This boost in sales helped drive a temporary rally in lithium prices in late 2024, and analysts expect continued price support throughout 2025 due to ongoing subsidies.

Cameron Hughes, a battery markets analyst at CRU Group, stated that the market surplus is expected to decrease significantly, leading to price recovery. David Merriman, research director at Project Blue, anticipates prices will stabilize at around $11,092 per metric ton in 2025, while Chinese broker Guotai Juan predicts a price range of 60,000 to 90,000 yuan ($8,184 to $12,276).

Despite this optimism, analysts warned that any significant price increases could be limited by the ability to quickly ramp up production at many closed mines if the market proves profitable. Additionally, potential changes in U.S. policy, such as new tariffs on EV battery imports from China or a reduction in domestic EV incentives under the incoming Trump administration, could pose risks to future lithium demand.