WSJ What’s News – PM Edition

Episode Title: Can a Chinese Car Company Make It in America?
Date: January 8, 2026
Host: Alex Osola (with reporting from Joe Barrett & Ryan Felton)

Overview

This episode explores chilling new developments at the intersection of U.S. politics and international business, focusing in depth on whether Chinese auto giant Geely—a leading electric vehicle (EV) maker—can successfully enter and compete in the fiercely protected American car market. The episode also covers escalating political tension surrounding a deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis, a Senate rebuke of the Trump administration's foreign policy, a surprising drop in the U.S. trade deficit, and an internet blackout amidst civil unrest in Iran.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Political Turmoil After ICE Shooting in Minneapolis

[00:50-04:26]

• Incident Summary: An ICE officer fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, provoking a political divide. Authorities disagree on the circumstances, with state and city officials contesting the federal self-defense claim.
• Local Reaction: Protests erupt in Minneapolis, reminiscent of the George Floyd unrest. The FBI has excluded state investigators from the case, prompting distrust among state officials.
  • Quote:
    "It feels very, very difficult that we will get a fair outcome...people in positions of power have already passed judgment from the president to the vice president to Kristi Noem have stood and told you things that are verifiably false."
    —Unidentified commentator [01:41]
• Federal Response: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem insists state authorities have no jurisdiction. VP J.D. Vance both mourns the death and criticizes the "far left" for inciting hostility against law enforcement.
  • Quote:
    "I can believe that her death is a tragedy while also recognizing that it's a tragedy of her own making and a tragedy that of the far left who has marshaled an entire movement, a lunatic fringe, against our law enforcement officers."
    —Vice President J.D. Vance [02:19]
• On the Ground:
  • Joe Barrett reports on heightened emotions at protests; a notable presence of federal agents and "Minnesota nice" attempts at humanizing conversation amidst tension.
  • Quote:
    "They just don't feel like this entire operation is necessary. They don't feel like they're being made more safe by getting these people who've been here for years out of the country."
    —Joe Barrett [03:19]

2. Senate Blocks Military Action in Venezuela

[04:35-05:26]

• Senate passes a resolution (with five Republicans joining Democrats) blocking President Trump from unilateral military action in Venezuela. The move is seen as rare bipartisan resistance, though unlikely to become law.
• Venezuelan government announces intent to release political prisoners amidst unrest.

3. Can Geely—and Chinese Automakers—Break Into the U.S. Market?

[05:59-09:04]

• Background: Geely, a major Chinese EV producer and parent company to Volvo and Polestar, hints at a U.S. expansion within three years—potentially making it the first big Chinese brand to enter America at scale.
• Major Barriers to Entry:
  • Tariffs:
    • Heavy tariffs imposed under both the Biden and Trump administrations sharply restrict import viability.
    • "The tariffs are a big barrier, but that doesn't change the fact that if you were to build here, you would not be paying the tariff."
      —Ryan Felton [06:33]
  • Software Restrictions:
    • Effective for 2027 model year, bans on Chinese connected-vehicle software would require significant localization of both manufacturing and software to comply.
  • Political Opposition:
    • High-level pushback from Congress and lobbying groups; Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH): "There will be no Chinese cars in America."
    • Consumer mistrust of Chinese brands is also a concern.
  • Existing Footprint and Loopholes:
    • Existing Volvo plant in South Carolina (owned by Geely) could be a means to localize production and bypass tariffs.
    • Quote:
      "If Geely wanted to bring some of these brands that are popular in China and elsewhere around the world to the US they have a way to start...getting around those tariff barriers much more easily than some counterparts who are in China."
      —Ryan Felton [06:58]
• Market Intrigue:
  • The scenario is "intriguing" because of Geely’s small U.S. foothold and potential to scale up existing manufacturing to meet regulatory and political demands.

4. Related Headlines & Global Context

[09:08-11:39]

• China and Tech: Beijing signals intent to scrutinize Meta’s acquisition of AI startup Manus, warning to tech entrepreneurs about cross-border deals.
• U.S. Markets: Mixed stock performance; Dow up, Nasdaq down, S&P flat; Brent oil rises.
• Trade Deficit: October deficit falls to lowest since 2009, attributed to swings in gold and pharmaceuticals trade.
• Private Equity: L Catterton takes controlling stake in Good Culture; the company valuation exceeds $500 million amid surging sales.
• Paramount Skydance: Persistent $78B bid for Warner Brothers Discovery continues, despite Warner’s commitment to Netflix.
• Iran: Near-total internet blackout as strikes and protests grow; at least 36 killed and over 2,000 arrested.

Notable Quotes

• "People yelling and screaming, so, you know, emotions running very high...But...just a random Thursday, not a huge, huge amount [of people]."
  —Joe Barrett on Minneapolis protests [02:49]
• "Some people might just be turned off by the idea of buying from a Chinese brand. That's sort of why the Geely scenario is so intriguing..."
  —Ryan Felton [08:20]
• "You just don't know where ICE is going to show up next. People are coming out onto the streets and blowing their whistles and trying to let their neighbors know about it."
  —Joe Barrett [03:19]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Minneapolis ICE shooting & protests: [00:50-04:26]
• Senate Venezuela vote: [04:35-05:26]
• Geely and Chinese carmakers in the U.S.: [05:59-09:04]
• China scrutinizes Meta AI acquisition: [09:08-09:45]
• Markets, trade, business news: [09:45-11:15]
• Iran internet blackout and unrest: [11:15-11:39]

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a brisk, factual, yet conversational tone—reflective of WSJ’s signature analytical style. It balances urgency (breaking news, protest scenes) with careful regulatory and market analysis, and punctuates dense topics with illustrative on-the-ground perspectives and concise expert commentary.

This summary covers all core discussions and key quotations essential for understanding the episode’s timely exploration of Chinese business ambitions in the U.S. and the ripple effects of political and economic events shaping global markets today.