Musk opposes US tariffs on Chinese electric cars

bbc.com

8 pointspeutetre3 comments

Probably a different situation in the US but in Europe the largest importer of Chinese-made EVs is currently Tesla. The latest BMW's electric SUV is also imported from China. Europe also has significant car exports to China. So the EU's approach to tariffs is likely to be much more muted.

The Tesla Shanghai factory is afaik teslas largest and also most efficient. If Tesla cannot send those cars to Europe and other western countries they will be in trouble.

Tesla is competing well in China so I don’t think they fear Chinese competition that much. Also they have a brand advantage.

My guess is that all this is about giving legacy auto makers an advantage over Tesla.

Sometimes CEOs say things that are the best political fit for their own personal interests.

1) faces threat of being swamped in US market by Chinese imports

2) builds cars in Chinese market and doesn’t want to appear to be protecting #1

3) exports cars built in China to other markets

Smart guy, but not really genius level thinking.

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