Former U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s decision to establish a factory in India, calling it “very unfair” amid his push to increase tariffs on foreign imports. Trump’s comments were made during a Fox News interview with Sean Hannity, where both he and Musk discussed India’s high tariffs on American cars.
Trump vs. Musk: The Tariff Debate
The interview, recorded earlier but aired on Tuesday night (ET), featured Trump expressing frustration over India’s trade policies. He argued that India imposes steep tariffs on U.S. car imports, making it difficult for companies like Tesla to operate fairly in the market.
“It’s impossible for him to sell a car, practically, in, as an example, India. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I think…”
Before Trump could finish, Musk interjected, confirming that India’s import duty on EVs is nearly 100%.
While India has now reduced the basic customs duty on luxury cars (priced above $40,000) from 110% to 70%, tariffs remain a point of contention between the U.S. and India.
Trump, who has prioritized American manufacturing and job creation, went on to say:
“If [Musk] wants to build a factory in India, that’s okay, but it’s unfair to us. It’s very unfair.”
Musk, agreeing with Trump, added:
“It needs to be a level playing field—fair and square.”
Musk’s Tesla Expansion in India
Despite Trump’s criticism, Tesla is moving forward with its India expansion plans. The company has identified potential locations for showrooms in New Delhi and Mumbai and has already opened up 13 mid-level job positions in the country.
Reports suggest that Tesla will invest around $2-3 billion to build a manufacturing plant in India, focusing on producing affordable EVs for both the domestic and global markets. This move is part of India’s green energy push, which aims to attract global automakers.
Musk recently met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the U.S., further strengthening Tesla’s entry strategy into India.
Trump’s America-First Stance
Trump, who has been vocal about bringing jobs back to the U.S., reiterated his stance on international trade:
“We gave Tesla so much—subsidies, tax breaks, and support. American jobs should come first!”
With Trump’s return to the White House sparking major economic policy shifts, including increased tariffs and federal workforce reductions, Musk’s India expansion has become another flashpoint in the global economic debate.
While Tesla’s India investment continues to move forward, Trump’s remarks reflect broader concerns about outsourcing, trade imbalances, and American economic interests in a rapidly shifting global market.
Posted Using INLEO
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