United States’ automaker, Tesla on Thursday warned that it and other major American exporters are exposed to retaliatory tariffs that could be leveled in response to President Donald Trump’s aggressive use of tariffs.
The comments are said to reflect those of many US businesses concerned by Trump’s tariffs, but is notable because it is from Tesla.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump, has been leading the White House effort to shrink the size of the federal government, spearheading the Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE.
Telsa made the comments in a letter to the US Trade Representative’s Office and available on the office’s web site.
Dated Tuesday, the letter was said to be among hundreds sent by companies to the office about US trade policy.
It is unclear who at Tesla wrote the letter, which is unsigned but is on a company letterhead.
Tesla has not yet commented on the development.
The automaker said it was important to ensure that the Trump administration’s efforts to address trade issues do not inadvertently harm US companies.
It expressed its eagerness to avoid retaliation of the type it faced in prior trade disputes, which resulted in increased tariffs on electric vehicles imported into countries subject to US tariffs.
“U.S. exporters are inherently exposed to disproportionate impacts when other countries respond to U.S. trade actions.
“For example, past trade actions by the United States have resulted in immediate reactions by the targeted countries, including increased tariffs on EVs imported into those countries,” Tesla said in the letter.
US: Tesla warns it could face retaliatory tariffs
