What’s the deal with Vivek Ramaswami and Elon Musk praising each other?

Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican candidate for the presidential race, has garnered praise from none other than the world’s wealthiest individual, Elon Musk. Musk has referred to Ramaswamy as a “very promising candidate.” Ramaswamy, an Indian American, declared his bid for the 2024 presidential election in February. Since then, he has rapidly risen in prominence within the Republican party due to his bold and thought-provoking speeches. As the first Republican primary debate approaches in less than a week, this biotech entrepreneur turned multimillionaire has amplified his campaign efforts, engaging in public gatherings and interviews to strengthen his position within the party.

What’s the deal with Vivek Ramaswami and Elon Musk praising each other?

Tucker Carlson, a conservative political commentator, shared Vivek Ramaswamy’s complete interview on X (formerly known as Twitter) with an endorsement. Carlson stated, “Vivek Ramaswamy is the youngest Republican presidential candidate ever. He’s worth listening to.” This endorsement highlights Ramaswamy’s significance and the value of his insights.

Reacting to the post, Elon Musk, owner of X, said, “He is a very promising candidate.”

Musk’s post has garnered over 16 million impressions at the time of writing this.

Ramaswamy has labeled China as the “greatest threat” to the United States and expressed his intent to pursue “complete de-coupling” from Beijing if he assumes power. The Republican candidate has additionally outlined his plans to fully engage in trade across the Pacific and establish trade partnerships with nations such as India, Japan, and South Korea.

During a previous interview with Fox News, Ramaswamy stated, “Xi Jinping is the dictator and China stands as the foremost threat to the United States. I believe I am the most straightforward candidate in outlining a distinct approach for achieving economic autonomy from China. This would mark the initial stride in our strategy.”

He went on to express his intent to pursue a “complete de-coupling” with China and impose restrictions on a majority of US companies engaged in business with Beijing.

“I would go for total de-coupling. I would ban most US companies from doing business with China, unless and until the CCP reforms its behaviour…I think there would be short-term consequences, but I think we can make sacrifices if we know what we are sacrificing for. I also think that when you are most willing to make a sacrifice, you actually do not have to make one at all,” Ramaswamy said.

As Vivek Ramaswamy aims for the presidency, his strong position on China and economic independence has caught the eye of influential figures like Elon Musk. With his efforts in the Republican party, his focus on changing trade relationships and tackling big global issues stands out. Like this post? Don’t forget to check out our other short stories in our Quick Read section