Tesla is set to resume shipments of parts from China to the United States for the production of its upcoming Cybercab and Semi models, following a temporary halt linked to escalating trade tensions between the two nations, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing a source familiar with the matter.
The move comes after Washington and Beijing reached a truce on tariffs earlier this week, agreeing to roll back most of the additional duties and countermeasures. The easing of trade restrictions has allowed Tesla to restart plans for cross-border shipments, with parts expected to begin moving by the end of May.
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Tesla had reportedly suspended the shipments last month after former U.S. President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 145 percent, prompting concerns about the viability of component sourcing. According to Reuters, the latest decision indicates that the softening of the trade dispute is already influencing business operations.
The electric vehicle maker intends to start trial production of the Cybercab in Texas and the Semi truck in Nevada as early as October, with full-scale production targeted for 2026. “Given the unpredictability of the Trump administration, things could still change,” the source cautioned.
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Despite its strong position in China, Tesla has seen domestic sales weaken amid intensifying competition from local EV brands. The company sold 28,731 vehicles in China in April, down 8.6% from a year earlier and down 61.2% from March. Tesla’s retail sales in the country for the January-April period totaled 163,338 units, marking a 0.3% decline year-on-year.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a known advocate of free trade, has previously criticized tariffs, arguing they ultimately harm innovation and manufacturing competitiveness.