US President Donald Trump called on US automakers, including electric vehicle giant Tesla, to manufacture entire vehicles and all related parts within the United States.
Trump made the remarks during a press conference marking Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s final day as a senior adviser at the White House, responding to a question about how tariffs are impacting companies like Tesla that rely on imported auto parts.
Referring to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Trump said: “He’s going to end up building his whole car here. Pretty much he does. All of the manufacturers will build their parts here too.”
Trump criticized the current global supply chain model where vehicle parts are produced in countries like Canada, Mexico, and Europe before final assembly in the US. “It used to bother me they make a part in Canada, a part in Mexico, a part in Europe, and sent all over the place, and nobody knew what the hell was happening, he said.
The administration’s recent imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on imported vehicles and parts has raised concerns across the auto industry about potential disruptions and higher consumer prices. Although Tesla assembles its electric vehicles domestically, many of its critical components are still sourced from abroad.
Tesla has not yet issued a statement in response to the president’s remarks.
Trump on Friday hosted a joint press conference in the Oval Office with Musk, marking Tesla chief’s departure as a special government employee overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency.
Describing the Tesla chief as his “first buddy,” Trump held a grand farewell for the world’s richest man, who stepped down from his turbulent tenure as the administration’s cost-cutter-in-chief.
Musk announced his resignation earlier in the week, a move welcomed by Tesla investors following a rocky year for the company’s stock, partly due to backlash over his vocal support for Trump and far-right figures in Europe.
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