Donald Trump said on Friday that automakers operating in the United States, including Tesla, should manufacture entire vehicles domestically, including all parts, as part of a broader push to reduce reliance on imported components.
The comments were made during a press conference marking Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s final day as a senior adviser at the White House. Trump responded to a question regarding the impact of tariffs on companies like Tesla that rely on imported auto parts.
“He’s going to end up building his whole car here. Pretty much he does,” Trump said, referring to Musk. “All of the manufacturers will build their parts here too.”
The remarks reflect a continued emphasis by the Trump administration on reshoring manufacturing. “It used to bother me they make a part in Canada, a part in Mexico, a part in Europe, and sent all over the place, and nobody knew what the hell was happening,” Trump added. “But over the next year, they’ve got to have the whole thing built in America. That’s what we want.”
Earlier this year, the administration imposed a 25% tariff on imported vehicles and auto parts, a move that industry groups have warned could disrupt global supply chains and increase consumer costs.
While Tesla assembles its electric vehicles in the United States, the company imports a number of key components. Other U.S. automakers also rely heavily on global suppliers, particularly for specialized parts and electronic systems.
Industry analysts say the call to fully localize production could pose challenges for manufacturers with long-standing international partnerships and supply networks, though it aligns with broader protectionist trends seen in recent trade policy.