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Why Beijing could block the SpaceX-Tesla merger

Bank of America says China is the main regulatory risk to a potential Tesla–SpaceX combination, since Tesla's Shanghai plant, which builds about half its global output, would fall under a major U.S. defense contractor. Although special committees have been formed and terms are not agreed, BofA views a deal as incremental upside for Tesla shareholders; a logical structure would be an all-stock acquisition of Tesla by SpaceX, and a 20% to 30% premium would still leave Musk with over 50% of voting power. The strategic case centers on Terafab, the companies' joint chip effort, whose long-term costs Musk expects to exceed $100 billion, and SpaceX has bought $626 million of Tesla Megapacks so far this year. BofA maintained its Buy rating and $460 price target on Tesla, expecting robotaxis to become a meaningful earnings driver by the end of 2027.

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MarketUS stocks
SectorConsumer Discretionary
IndustryAutomobile Manufacturers
Market cap$1.5T
Close on 10/29/2026403.29
Change that session-0.23%
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