Tesla founder Elon Musk told tech investors in Paris on Thursday he opposed US tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, an about-face from his January warning that trade barriers were needed or China would "demolish most other car companies in the world".
On Thursday, Musk said he did not favour measures that distorted the market.
This month US President Joe Biden rolled out new tariffs on an array of Chinese imports, including EVs, seeking to support American manufacturing.
The Biden administration has maintained a number of tariffs introduced by former president Donald Trump while ratcheting up others, including quadrupling EV duties to more than 100%. The White House said the new measures affect $18bn (about R332,810,280,000) in imported Chinese goods.
"Neither Tesla nor I asked for these tariffs. I was surprised when they were announced. Things that inhibit freedom of exchange or distort the market are not good," Musk said at the Viva Technology conference in Paris via video link.
“Tesla competes quite well in the market in China with no tariffs and no deferential support. I’m in favour of no tariffs," Musk said.
Tesla’s Musk says he opposes US tariffs on Chinese EVs
Image: Apu Gomes/Getty Images
Tesla founder Elon Musk told tech investors in Paris on Thursday he opposed US tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, an about-face from his January warning that trade barriers were needed or China would "demolish most other car companies in the world".
On Thursday, Musk said he did not favour measures that distorted the market.
This month US President Joe Biden rolled out new tariffs on an array of Chinese imports, including EVs, seeking to support American manufacturing.
The Biden administration has maintained a number of tariffs introduced by former president Donald Trump while ratcheting up others, including quadrupling EV duties to more than 100%. The White House said the new measures affect $18bn (about R332,810,280,000) in imported Chinese goods.
"Neither Tesla nor I asked for these tariffs. I was surprised when they were announced. Things that inhibit freedom of exchange or distort the market are not good," Musk said at the Viva Technology conference in Paris via video link.
“Tesla competes quite well in the market in China with no tariffs and no deferential support. I’m in favour of no tariffs," Musk said.
The inside story of Musk’s mass firings of Tesla Supercharger staff
In January, Musk warned Chinese carmakers would "demolish" global competitors without trade barriers.
"If there are no trade barriers established, they will pretty much demolish most other car companies in the world," Musk said in a post-earnings analyst callr.
Leading tech executives and political figures such as ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt and former US climate envoy John Kerry took to the stage this year at the annual VivaTech conference.
Linda Yaccarino, CEO of the Musk-owned social media platform X, is expected to participate in-person on Friday for a panel discussion on the future of content.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos