Tesla in India: Donald Trump irked by Elon Musk's plans to build factory in India, calls it 'unfair' to America
US President Donald Trump criticised Tesla's potential factory in India, stating it would be unfair to the US due to high tariffs
US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News that aired on Tuesday that if Tesla were to build a factory in India to circumvent that country's tariffs, it would be "unfair" to the US
"Now, if he built the factory in India, that's okay, but that's unfair to us. It's very unfair," Trump said in the interview.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US last week, Trump called out India's high duty on cars.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has repeatedly criticised India's approximately 100% import tariffs on electric vehicles, arguing that they protect domestic automakers like Tata Motors in the world's third-largest car market, where EV adoption is still in its early stages.
Despite these tariffs, Reuters reported on Tuesday that Tesla has chosen sites for two showrooms in New Delhi and Mumbai and has advertised 13 mid-level positions in India. Tesla currently does not manufacture any vehicles in the country.
Shandor Brenner is an American journalist recognized for his sharp and insightful reporting on social and political issues. His work is known for its depth, integrity, and the ability to highlight critical societal concerns.