US-China Trade War Intensifies: Tesla Stops Selling Imported Models, Sharp Decline in Cargo Ship Bookings Disrupts the Supply Chain
The intensification of the US-China tariff war is impacting the automotive and shipping industries. Tesla in China has stopped accepting new orders for US-manufactured Model S and Model X cars and is only selling existing inventory. Shipping bookings from Chinese ports to the US have sharply decreased, with nearly no ships departing from Shanghai to the US. US ports are congested, leaving thousands of imported cars stranded, and some car manufacturers are delaying shipments to manage tariff uncertainties. This trade conflict is reshaping the operations of global automotive and logistics supply chains.
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04/12 02:40
US-China Trade War Intensifies: Tesla Stops Selling Imported Models, Sharp Decline in Cargo Ship Bookings Disrupts the Supply Chain
The intensification of the US-China tariff war is impacting the automotive and shipping industries. Tesla in China has stopped accepting new orders for US-manufactured Model S and Model X cars and is only selling existing inventory. Shipping bookings from Chinese ports to the US have sharply decreased, with nearly no ships departing from Shanghai to the US. US ports are congested, leaving thousands of imported cars stranded, and some car manufacturers are delaying shipments to manage tariff uncertainties. This trade conflict is reshaping the operations of global automotive and logistics supply chains.
Tesla Stops Selling New Model S and Model X Vehicles
Tesla China has recently stopped accepting new car orders for the imported Model S and Model X vehicles. According to Tesla China's official website, these two models currently only offer the options to "view existing cars" and "schedule a test drive," with no option to order new cars. Upon checking, it is clear that there are no Model X cars available for sale, and only the Plaid version of the Model S is available, priced at 923,900 yuan.
Both models are produced in the United States and exported to China. Due to China's imposition of a 125% tariff on imported goods from the U.S., the sales costs have significantly increased. Tesla's WeChat mini-program has also simultaneously removed the new order function for these two models. According to data from the China Automobile Dealers Association, in 2024, China imported 1,553 Model X and 311 Model S vehicles. Although the numbers are not large, they hold significant symbolic meaning, indicating that tariff policies have directly impacted the product strategies of multinational car manufacturers.
In contrast, the Model 3 and Model Y are produced at Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory and are not affected by import tariffs, continuing to supply the Chinese and European markets.
Sharp Decline in Cargo Ship Bookings from China to the U.S.
In the shipping sector, the tense trade relations between China and the U.S. have led to a significant drop in cargo ship bookings from multiple Chinese ports to the U.S. According to logistics providers and media reports, ports in Zhejiang, Shanghai, Tianjin, and other regions have experienced a 50% reduction in bookings. Staff at the Yangshan Port in Shanghai noted that a large number of containers are piled up outside the port, unable to be shipped, and some cargo owners have initiated customs clearance cancellation procedures.
According to Caixin, in early April, there were still many cargo ships rushing to depart before the tariffs took effect, but since April 10, almost no ships bound for the U.S. have been seen. Logistics providers stated that many exporters have chosen to pause shipments and observe the situation, with some goods possibly being returned after arriving in the U.S.
According to freight data from Vizion API, in the first week of April 2025, the booking volume for imports from China to the U.S. plummeted by 64% compared to the previous week, and the overall U.S. import volume also fell by 49%. This sudden freeze reflects companies' strategies in response to high tariffs: pause, observe, and reassess.
U.S. Ports Becoming "Giant Parking Lots"
In the U.S., port congestion is becoming increasingly severe. Gene Seroka, the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, stated that thousands of cars are stranded within the port area, with some ports nearing capacity. Car manufacturers, to avoid the impact of high tariffs, are choosing to delay vehicle storage and shipment operations.
The Financial Times quoted three logistics and automotive industry executives who said that brands like Audi, Jaguar Land Rover, and Aston Martin have temporarily halted or significantly reduced shipments to the U.S. in April. The Port of Bremerhaven in Germany estimates that car imports and exports to the U.S. will decrease by up to 50%, with the U.S. market originally accounting for one-third of the port's total car volume.
These car manufacturers generally adopt a "wait and see" strategy, pausing exports of cars from European factories or ports to the U.S., waiting for clearer policies. Logistics providers indicate that if tariff policy uncertainty continues, port space will quickly become saturated, further affecting subsequent logistics operations.
Adjustments in Automotive Supply Chain and Shipment Delays
In addition to complete vehicle imports, the automotive parts supply chain is also affected. TrendForce indicates that car manufacturers with a lower percentage of North American assembly, such as Hyundai-Kia, Mazda, and Volvo Cars, will face greater pressure. Among the vehicles these brands sell in the U.S., less than 40% are manufactured locally, with the rest coming from South Korea, Japan, and Sweden, making it difficult to meet the regional value content requirements of the USMCA agreement.
Some car manufacturers have begun adjusting their production and shipment strategies. For example, Hyundai-Kia, with 57% of its U.S. sales vehicles coming from South Korea, has announced increased investment in the U.S., aiming to shift their production focus to the U.S. to mitigate tariff impacts.
Additionally, some Chinese exporters, to avoid high tariffs, have even chosen to abandon goods midway, returning containers to shipping companies. A COSCO Shipping Holdings employee disclosed that the container yard outside Yangshan Port is already filled with unsent containers, and cargo owners are processing customs clearance cancellations.
