American tech giant Tesla, led by Elon Musk, has found itself in the midst of an economic and political storm. According to Reuters, citing sources close to the company, the production launch of two key models — the Cybercab robotaxi and the Semi electric truck — has been postponed indefinitely. The reason: a new wave of trade restrictions initiated by President Donald Trump’s administration.
A Shift in Course: From Support to Collision
In recent years, Elon Musk has publicly voiced support for Trump, becoming one of the few prominent figures in the tech sector not to distance himself from the eccentric Republican — instead, he has openly endorsed many of his policies. However, as it turns out, political sympathy for Trump’s style did not shield Tesla from the consequences of his economic agenda.
The introduction of 34% tariffs on Chinese goods was the first warning sign. Tesla was prepared for short-term losses, expecting relations between the U.S. and China to normalize quickly. However, Beijing’s retaliatory measures and the escalation of the conflict have made the situation spiral out of control: the total burden on imports of Chinese components has surged to 145%. This proved critical for the company’s projects scheduled for the coming months.
Delays to Strategic Models
Tesla has not officially commented on the delays, but sources say the company has already notified suppliers of a pause in logistics operations related to both the Cybercab robotaxi and Semi trucks. These models were considered strategic: they were expected to mark a new technological era for the company and help offset slowing sales in the passenger EV segment.
Pilot production was scheduled to begin in October of this year, with commercial rollout planned for 2026. Key components — including battery modules, autopilot systems, and body parts — were to be sourced from Tesla’s partner factories in China. Now those supply chains have been disrupted, and launch timelines are uncertain.
Tesla Between Two Continents
For the past two years, Tesla has been working to increase the share of components manufactured in North America. However, the company has not yet been able to fully abandon Chinese suppliers — not just for economic reasons, but due to technological dependence. China remains the global leader in lithium-ion battery production, as well as one of the few sources for specialized chips and sensors used in autopilot systems.
Alternatives from South Korea or the EU have proven either more expensive or incompatible with Tesla’s timelines. Moreover, growing trade tensions between the U.S. and the European Union — exacerbated by similar tariff measures from Trump targeting European goods — make European suppliers a less attractive option both logistically and politically.
A Growing Rift Between Musk and Trump
The situation has placed Musk in a difficult position. While the entrepreneur is not known for public complaints, he has increasingly voiced dissatisfaction with the administration’s actions. Though he continues to avoid direct criticism of Trump himself, in recent weeks Musk has lashed out at certain members of Trump’s economic team, accusing them of misunderstanding global production principles and promoting “isolationism that leads to technological stagnation.”
A swift response came from the president himself. Donald Trump, known for his impulsiveness, stated at a recent rally that he is no longer interested in Musk. “Yeah, I bought a Tesla. Great car. But now I just let my friends take it for a spin. Musk can do whatever he wants — I don’t need him,” Trump said, though he added that he still “respects” Musk as a “genius.”
This exchange marked the first public sign of a rift between two major figures in modern American elite circles.
Investors on Edge
Markets responded to the news with cautious restraint, but analysts note growing concern among investors. The delayed launch of the Cybercab and Semi could lead to a loss of market share in critically important sectors — autonomous taxis and long-haul freight. Both segments are being aggressively developed by Tesla’s competitors, including Waymo, Rivian, and China’s BYD.
“If Tesla fails to offer viable products in the next 12–18 months, it risks losing leadership in niches it originally pioneered,” a Morgan Stanley analyst warned in a private memo to clients.
What’s Next?
Despite political uncertainty, Tesla continues to invest in its U.S. and Mexican operations in a bid to create alternative supply chains. However, experts agree that without normalization of relations with China, it will be difficult to resume full-scale production of the new models.
Elon Musk may soon be forced to choose between political loyalty and business pragmatism. Support for Trump, which once promised tax breaks and access to powerful circles, is now resulting in tangible financial losses.
The robotaxi and electric truck were meant to represent Tesla’s future. Today, their fate depends less on engineering breakthroughs and more on decisions made in the White House.