Tesla Suspends US-Made Car Sales in China After Tariffs Spike to 145%

• U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff war with China has forced Tesla to pause sales of two of its models to China.
• Tesla’s Chinese website is no longer showing the option to purchase its Model S and Model X.
• The decision comes as Tesla suffers through slowing sales and decreased market share.

Elon Musk’s Tesla has suspended taking new orders of its U.S.-made vehicle models in China, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs continue to escalate the trade war against the country.

The news comes as Tesla continues to face challenges both in the U.S. and overseas in China, where it faces significant competition from rising competitors like BYD.

Tesla Suspends U.S. Orders to China

Bloomberg reported that the U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer has paused Chinese orders for its Model S and Model X.

Orders for the two models, both of which are made in the U.S., are no longer available to order on its Chinese website.

Tesla’s WeChat mini program account also no longer allowed orders for the two imported models.

The Chinese website previously housed an “order now” option for Tesla’s Model S and Model X but it was removed on Friday, April 11, the publication stated.

Tariffs Threaten Tesla’s Growth

The decision to suspend sales follows China’s sharp retaliatory tariffs on the U.S.

A back and forth between the two countries led to China placing a 145% tariff on the U.S. as of Friday.

Tesla’s suspension does not affect locally manufactured models, such as the China-made Model 3 and China-made Model Y, which continue to be available for purchase through Tesla’s official Chinese platforms.

Tesla has not issued an official statement on the suspension or commented publicly on the impact of the increased tariffs.

Tesla’s Lagging Sales

The halt in U.S.-made vehicle sales comes as Tesla is already grappling with slowing sales and increasing market pressure.

Globally, the electric vehicle pioneer has experienced a significant slump in demand in key markets.

The electric car maker delivered almost 337,000 electric vehicles in the first three months of 2025, a 13% drop from a year ago.

In Europe, Tesla’s vehicle sales fell 49% in the first two months of the year compared to the year prior, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association.

The falling sales also coincide with a wave of public protests and backlash against Tesla across the U.S. and E.U.

Demonstrators have targeted Tesla facilities and showrooms in response to CEO Musk’s alignment with U.S. President Trump and their continued layoffs of government workers.