Why does it matter? Why should the machinations of China scare me more than the those of an oligarch?

Because that’s the way the law is written? And you were the one that added the South African qualifier?

I’m not making a point about the usefulness of the law, only the _definition_ of it. In the context of the ban Musks American-ness is more important than his South African-ness and both are more important than his wealth.