Elon Musk retracts his statement, opposes US tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, know details

Tesla founder Elon Musk told tech investors in Paris on Thursday that he is against US tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). This is a reversal of his January statement, in which he warned that trade barriers were needed or else China would "kill most of the other car companies in the world."

On Thursday, Musk said he is not in favor of measures that distort the market. This month, US President Joe Biden imposed new tariffs on Chinese imports, including EVs. So that American manufacturing can get support.

The Biden administration has maintained many of the tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump while increasing others. EV duty has been increased four times to more than 100 percent. The White House says these new measures affect $18 billion of imported Chinese goods.

Musk said via video link at the Viva technology conference in Paris, "Neither Tesla nor I asked for these tariffs, in fact, I was surprised when they were announced. Things that distort free trade or markets are not good." 

Musk said, "Tesla is competing very well in the market in China without any tariffs and any special support. I am not in favor of any kind of tariffs."

In January, Musk warned that without trade barriers, Chinese automakers would "destroy" global competitors.

Musk said in a post-earnings analyst call at the beginning of the year, "If no trade barriers were established, they would eliminate most of the other car companies in the world." 

Leading tech executives and politicians, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and former US climate envoy John Kerry, took the stage at this year's VivaTech conference.

On Friday, Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of the social media platform X, which is owned by Elon Musk, is scheduled to take part in a panel discussion about the future of content.