Tesla tells US government Trump trade war could ‘harm' EV companies

Core Viewpoint - Tesla has expressed concerns that Donald Trump's trade war could lead to retaliatory tariffs affecting the electric vehicle market, which would also impact other automotive manufacturers in the US [1][3]. Group 1: Tesla's Position on Trade - Tesla supports fair trade and urges the US Trade Representative (USTR) to consider the downstream impacts of proposed trade actions [2][3]. - The company highlights that US exporters face disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to US trade actions, citing past instances where tariffs on electric vehicles were increased in response to US tariffs [3]. Group 2: Impact of Tariffs - The EU and Canada have announced significant retaliatory measures against US tariffs on steel and aluminum, while the UK has not yet announced any countermeasures [4]. - Tesla's share price has dropped by over one-third in the past month due to concerns about potential backlash against Elon Musk's political affiliations and actions [5]. Group 3: Recommendations for Trade Actions - Tesla recommends that the USTR consider the timeline of implementation for any trade actions, advocating for a phased approach to allow US companies to prepare and ensure compliance [7].