Tesla's Tariff Troubles: How Trump's Trade Policies Could Hurt Musk's Empire

The world of business has been buzzing with the news that Elon Musk, a known supporter of President Trump, is now facing some tough times due to Trump's aggressive trade policies. Musk's electric vehicle company, Tesla, is worried about the consequences of these policies. The tariffs could make production more expensive and put Tesla in the crosshairs of other countries' retaliatory actions. Trump has been using tariffs as a tool to pressure trade partners like Canada, Mexico, China, and the European Union. This week, he doubled down on a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico, despite the growing backlash. In response, Canada has threatened to hit back with their own tariffs, which could target American-made electric vehicles, including Teslas. Tesla has been trying to localize as much of its production as possible, but there are still some parts and components that are hard to source within the U. S. The company has warned that excessive tariffs could make these necessary imports too expensive. They have also urged the government to avoid increasing the cost of key minerals like lithium and cobalt, which are already in short supply domestically. Tesla's concerns were highlighted in a letter sent to the U. S. Trade Representative. The letter warned that exporters could face "disproportionate impacts" when other countries retaliate against U. S. trade policies. A source familiar with the letter described it as a warning shot to the administration, saying that the tariffs are hurting Tesla. The letter remained unsigned because no one at the company wanted to be fired for sending it. The letter comes after two weeks of volatile trade policy announcements that have unsettled businesses and financial markets. It also highlights how even Tesla, led by Trump ally Musk, is worried about the fallout from sweeping tariffs. Tesla isn't the only Musk-owned company facing retaliation. On February 3, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the cancellation of a $68 million contract with Starlink, Musk's satellite internet company under SpaceX, in response to the tariffs. Musk's close ties to Trump have also begun to weigh on Tesla's public image and global sales. Tesla's stock has already suffered a 40 percent decline since the start of the year. Dan Ives, a financial analyst, has said that Tesla is becoming a political symbol of Trump, and that's not good for the brand. Trump, on the other hand, has said that he will protect Tesla and celebrate Musk. The trade war has also taken a toll on Wall Street, with the S&P 500 dropping more than 10 percent below its record, which was set just last month. It's clear that the trade policies are having a significant impact on the economy, and it's not just Tesla that's feeling the heat.