Tesla Requests a Tariff Waiver to Import Graphite From China
Tesla is among the hundreds of auto industry players asking the U.S. Trade Representative for extended tariff waivers on parts and materials imported from China used to make or repair cars.
Supply chain issues are contributing to soaring prices for new and used vehicles in the U.S. Tariffs levied during the Trump administration’s trade war with China are contributing to those price increases — especially since temporary exclusions to some of those tariffs were allowed to expire in late 2020 or early this year.
In October, the USTR said that it would consider reinstating tariff exclusions on a case-by-case basis, particularly for imports that can only be obtained from China. The outpouring of industry pleas could spur the Biden administration to reinstate government exclusions on 25% tariffs on artificial graphite imported from China, as well as other materials and components.
