Two major companies led by billionaire Elon Musk, Tesla and SpaceX, have raised concerns about the Trump administration’s tariff policies in letters to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. These letters highlight the challenges faced by U.S. companies due to international trade barriers and retaliatory tariffs, emphasizing the need for fair trade practices that do not disproportionately impact American businesses.
Tesla, the electric vehicle giant, expressed its concerns about how tariffs and retaliatory duties imposed by other countries on U.S.-made products could adversely affect its financial stability. The company pointed out that these trade barriers inflate costs for vehicles manufactured in the United States and exported abroad, reducing their competitiveness in the global market. In its letter submitted by associate general counsel Miriam Eqab, Tesla acknowledged the importance of fair trade but urged the USTR to consider the impact of such policies on U.S. exports. The company highlighted that past tariff actions have increased production and export costs for Tesla vehicles, making them less competitive internationally. Tesla’s appeal underscores the broader concern among American manufacturers about maintaining their edge in a fiercely competitive global marketplace.
SpaceX, on the other hand, focused on operational costs related to its Starlink internet satellite service. The company argued that international trade barriers impose significant costs on its operations, while foreign competitors entering the U.S. market face fewer constraints. SpaceX’s senior director of global business and government affairs, Mat Dunn, noted that the company must pay foreign governments for spectrum access and import duties for Starlink equipment, which artificially inflate costs in those countries. Dunn emphasized that these import duties create a disadvantage for U.S. companies like SpaceX, as similar foreign products imported into the United States typically face no such duties.
Both companies’ letters are part of over 700 responses submitted to the USTR’s public docket on unfair trade practices by other countries. Their concerns reflect broader challenges faced by American businesses in navigating global trade policies that often favor foreign competitors or impose additional burdens on U.S. firms.
These lobbying efforts highlight a critical aspect of international trade—ensuring equitable policies that support domestic industries while fostering global competitiveness. As Musk also oversees initiatives aimed at reducing federal spending and workforce size under President Trump’s direction, his companies’ appeals underscore their commitment to advocating for fairer trade practices to safeguard their operational viability and financial health.
