Elon Musk is concerned about construction costs for Tesla – Liberation

The soaked sprinkler. The new increase in customs duties on the automobile trumped by Donald Trump Wednesday March 26 does not worry that international competitors in the United States. Its ally media Elon Musk, who spent so much and more for the presidential campaign of the Republican and today occupies a strategic place in his administration, has verbalized this night Which already worried at low noise his Tesla business For a few weeks: “To be clear, this will affect the price of spare parts of Tesla cars that come from other countries. The effect on costs is not negligible. ”

A few words on X to which were added those of General Motors, Ford and Stellantis. The three major American car manufacturers, which exert continuous pressure on the American government on the file, judged « crucial » that these customs duties do not do « Mount prices for consumers ». The latter announced « Continue to work » with the government but ask that the « competitiveness » of automotive production « North American », So integrating Canada and Mexico.

These alerts succeed a series of declarations from the four corners of the planet to deplore the 25% additional customs duties announced by the American president on « All cars that are not made in the United States », from April 2. A rate that is added to the one hitherto applied 2.5%. « We are going to charge the countries that do business in our country and take our wealth », justified the magnate.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, denounced a « Direct attack on workers » Canadians, ensuring that « We will defend them, we will defend our industries, we will defend our country ».

In Japan, where Toyota saw its action fall on the stock market and whose automobile represents almost a third of exports to the United States, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba warned considering retaliatory measures. The government spokesman warned against the« Considerable impact » of the American customs offensive on Nippo-American economic relations but also « On the global economy and the multilateral trading system ». Visiting Japan, Brazilian President Lula assured that his country « Couldn’t stay without doing anything. »

On the EU side, Ursula von der Leyen said « Deeply the American decision »adding that the EU « Will continue to look for negotiated solutions » with the United States. The president of the European Commission, who announced two weeks reporter in mid-April, 25% tax of American products In response to taxes of the same level decided by Donald Trump on steel and aluminum, said the EU was going « Evaluate this ad ». « As I have already said, customs duties are taxes, bad for business, worse for consumers, both in the United States and in the European Union. »

The concern obviously won the manufacturers of the whole planet. The British judged the announcement « Disappointing » and called to « Explore the means to create opportunities for British and American manufacturers ». The Germans have for their part given this price supplement as a « Fatal signal », pleading so that the United States and the EU quickly enter negotiations to find a « More balanced approach ».

The European Commission had already announced the postponement of two weeks, in mid-April, the entry into force of its countermeasures targeting American products in response to the 25% taxes decided by Donald Trump on steel and aluminum, in order to give more time to a negotiated solution. Negotiations that will be under pressure, Donald Trump having threatened the European Union and Canada with additional customs duties if they coordinate at the expense of the United States to retaliate to the trade war launched by Washington.

Only exception to this price frenzy, the possibilities of concessions Make China. The American president has indeed been open to an exemption with regard to Beijing, in exchange of an agreement on Tiktok. The Chinese social network is threatened with ban in the United States, unless its parent company, Bytedance, accepts to give in its American activities. Beijing reacted to these new announcements by believing that there was « No winner in a trade war » And refused the American offer. “Regarding Tiktok’s question, China has expressed its position on several occasions. China’s position against the taxation of additional customs duties is also consistent and clear ”, said the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Update at 9:01 am With the reactions of China and German and British manufacturers.