‘Very Unfair’: Donald Trump On Musk’s India Tesla Factory Plan

US President Donald Trump has called billionaire Elon Musk’s plan to set up a Tesla factory in India “very unfair”, days after the company started hiring staff in the South Asian country, media reports said.

“Every country in the world takes advantage of us, and they do it with tariffs… It is impossible to sell a car, practically, in, as an example, India,” said Trump in an interview with Fox News.

The President, who had earlier called India “a very big abuser” on tariffs, said “if he (Musk) built the factory in India, that’s okay, but that’s unfair to us.” “It’s very unfair,” Trump said.

Interestingly, Elon Musk is a close associate of Trump who appointed him to head the new advisory body DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) tasked with cutting US government jobs and other spending.

Tesla’s India Plans Gain Momentum

Days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Musk in Washington DC, Tesla kickstarted hiring for its Indian operations, marking a step forward in its long-awaited entry into the world’s third-largest automobile market.

The EV giant has listed multiple job openings in Mumbai, including roles in customer service, sales, and operations, according to a Reuters report.

One of the key listings is for a store manager, hinting at Tesla’s plans to establish a showroom in Mumbai.

The company has also been in talks with real estate developer DLF regarding showroom space in New Delhi.

Despite Musk’s long-standing interest in the Indian market, Tesla’s plans have faced hurdles, particularly due to India’s steep EV import tariffs, which hover around 100 percent.

Musk has lobbied for tariff reductions, but domestic automakers have opposed the move, citing competitive concerns.

Last year, Musk was expected to visit India, reportedly to announce a $2-3 billion investment, but the trip was canceled amid Tesla’s global restructuring following a dip in sales.

(With inputs from IBNS)