Tesla Stops Accepting Orders For U.S.-Made Models in China
Tesla has stopped accepting new orders in China for its U.S.-made Model S and Model X vehicles, as trade tensions between Washington and Beijing continue to escalate. The option to order these models disappeared from Tesla’s Chinese website and WeChat mini app on Friday. While the company hasn’t released a formal statement, the move comes just as China imposed a 145% tariff on American goods, in direct response to President Trump’s increased import duties aimed at punishing Beijing.
The suspension only affects the Model S and Model X, which are produced in California. Tesla’s locally manufactured Model 3 and Model Y—built at the Shanghai Gigafactory—remain available for purchase. The imported luxury models have never made up a significant portion of Tesla’s sales in China, with fewer than 2,000 units delivered in 2024. Still, the halt highlights Tesla’s vulnerability in a key market, especially as domestic rivals like BYD continue to surge ahead.
Globally, Tesla is already feeling the strain. Deliveries dropped 13% in the first quarter of 2025, hitting their lowest point since 2022. In Europe, sales plummeted by nearly half in just the first two months of the year. The company is also facing backlash in both the U.S. and E.U., as Elon Musk’s political ties and recent layoffs have triggered protests and criticism, adding to growing investor concerns.
