Model S and Model X can no longer be ordered online in China. The trade war between the US and China is now directly affecting Tesla's sales.
Tesla's Chinese website has removed the option to order Model S and Model X directly. The change comes shortly after China raised tariffs on all American goods to 125 percent.
The Model S and Model X are produced at Tesla's factory in Fremont, California, and imported from there to China. From now on, Chinese customers will have to make do with stock cars – new ones can no longer be ordered online from the US.
It's hardly surprising that the "Order Now" button is still active for the Model 3 and Model Y. Both models are produced locally in Tesla's Chinese factory in Shanghai and are therefore not affected by the increased import duties, even though Tesla is primarily owned by Americans.
Chinese tariffs cause Tesla to react
It's still unclear exactly when Tesla removed the button, but according to an earlier version of the page, it was still visible as recently as April 6. Tesla has yet to comment on the change.
On Friday morning, China raised its tariffs on American goods from 84 to 125 percent. This was in response to President Trump's announcement the day before of a total tariff of 145 percent on Chinese goods – partly as part of punishment for China's role in the fentanyl crisis, the White House said.
Although Elon Musk has not criticized Trump's tariffs directly, he has previously written that Tesla "has not escaped unscathed" and that the tariff impact is "significant," especially since Tesla also imports parts like batteries from China.
The Tesla CEO has also been in a public feud with Trump's former advisor Peter Navarro, whom Musk has called "an idiot" and criticized for calling Tesla an "assembly plant" rather than an automaker.
Elon Musk: Tariffs are hurting Tesla
At the same time, Musk recently shared a clip with economist Milton Friedman, who argues for free trade and warns against the effects of protectionism.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that “no one wins in a tariff war.” He also called on the EU to distance itself from what he called “unilateral bullying” by the United States.
But neither the US nor China appear to be backing down. Trump has said he expects to land a good deal with Xi, calling the Chinese president “a very smart man.”
But for now, Tesla must come to terms with another bump in the road in China – one of the brand's most important markets.
This should be seen in light of the fact that Tesla's sales in several places around the world have halved in the first months of 2025.
