Threat of U.S. tariffs spurs us to move faster, Pony AI CEO says

Donald Trump's threat to impose higher import duties on Chinese products could be a stimulus to move faster into new markets, according to James Peng, CEO of autonomous driving technology company Pony AI.

Pony.ai listed on the American Nasdaq stock exchange this week and Peng, who founded the business in California in 2016, says he's not afraid of losing out. Pony AI has major Research and manufacturing facilities in China.

"It may be actually a stimulus for us to to move more quickly, to actually bring the technology and our product to more markets so that we can have a good standing," Peng told CGTN Europe's Global Business Show.

Pony AI's self-driving vehicles already operate in a number of cities in China but regulation elsewhere has held back adoption, he said.

"It will take some time for the users to accept it. For the regulations to really pass to support it. So it's going to take a while," Peng said.

Earlier this year Pony AI signed an agreement with Luxembourg and a partnership with the country's travel provider Emile Weber. Peng indicated that he expects the country to become the first European location for his company's self-driving technology.