Elon Musk has attacked Joe Biden’s plans for a 100pc tariff on electric cars made in China despite Tesla potentially being poised to benefit from the levy.
Mr Musk told a technology conference in Paris that he preferred “no tariffs” when asked how the US president’s recent policies would affect Tesla.
Earlier this month, Mr Biden said he would raise import duties on Chinese electric vehicles from 25pc to 100pc as well as increasing taxes on components such as batteries.
The move could boost Tesla, America’s biggest seller of electric cars, and protect it from competitors such as BYD, the Chinese manufacturer which has threatened to dramatically undercut Mr Musk’s company.
“Neither Tesla nor I asked for these tariffs, I was surprised when they announced,” Mr Musk told the Viva Tech conference.
“Tesla competes quite well in the market in China with no tariffs and no differential support, in general I’m in favour of no tariffs. I’m also actually in favour of no tax incentives for EVs, provided also that the tax incentives for oil and gas must also be eliminated.
“I’m in favour of no tariffs and no incentives for electric vehicles or for oil and gas, and if they were all taken away I think that would be for the best. Things that inhibit freedom of exchange or distort the market are not good.”