Which begs a question: Is it really possible to compete with China on consumer products? The price and cost of labor advantage, indeed state sponsorship and support, would suggest that it's not.

For electronics, sure. iPhone and Android are American products. Playstation and Switch are Japanese. If you mean "can we compete on cost of manufacturing," no. They all build in China.

Veblen goods can compete. China is unique in cheap high tech products. As production scales down and shipping costs raise smaller markets open.

Musk's companies are some with the most state sponsorship on the planet. Remove the tax credits, government buying, and commercial barriers, and there's nothing.

Even then, he is losing to Chinese competition. It's pure incompetence.

Well the usa always shouts free market from every rooftop in all the invaded countries, so I wonder where the struggle is?

That seems like a major issue national security wise. I wonder why no one has brought that up?